YERCAUD: The district administration and residents should join hands to conserve forest reserves, the Social Welfare Minister, Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy, said.
Participating at the valedictory function of the Summer Festival and Flower Show here on Sunday, she said tree felling and poaching in forests should be stopped.
The public along with the government should actively participate in creating green cover and protecting forest resources.
"A concerted effort should be initiated to develop Yercaud into an eco-tourism centre," she added.
The tourist inflow for the festival this year had registered a significant increase, she noted.
The Collector, A. Sukumaran, also called for public coordination in making Salem district a 100 per cent plastic-free zone. The administration was planting more trees to increase the green cover in the district, he added.
The Minister distributed prizes to the winners of various contests held as a part of the festival.
