Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala joined the nation in observing World Environment Day on Monday. Adding another feather to their cap, the state government took the lead by distributing one crore saplings for planting across the state.
The state's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his Environment Day message sought the support and cooperation of all sections of the society in the government's efforts of tree plantation.
The Forest Department provided 72 lakh saplings, while Agriculture Department helped with five lakh saplings from its nurseries. The remaining 23 lakh saplings were provided by various agencies, including Kudumbashree, a government release said.
Medicinal and fruit bearing trees were given priority during this program as the government has decided to do away with acacia and eucalyptus that draw a lot of groundwater and distributed only fruit bearing and environment-friendly trees.
Governor P Sathasivam and Malayalam actor Mohanlal also participated in the plantation program at a college and the Raj Bhavan compound respectively.
“The world is moving towards an environmental emergency due to climate change. It was just the other day that the United States of America withdrew unilaterally from the Paris agreement,” Vijayan said in a Facebook post on Sunday night.
Kerala is one of the prime tourist destinations and has a stellar record where gender equality and environmentally friendly practices are concerned. Hence it's not surprising that this move was taken up by none other than the God's own country.
