Green initiative to plant 10,000 saplings

Chennai:

In a major green initiative to plant 10,000 saplings across the city, 25 saplings were planted in Virugambakkam by Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy.

The mayor planted the saplings at Chinmaya Nagar Stage 1, Virugambakkam near Varasiddhi Vinayagar Koil Streets.

During the plantation of saplings, Duraisamy also highlighted the challenges faced in Chennai in planting trees. He also urged the organizers not to plant saplings near the pavements as it will pose a problem to pedestrians.

Interestingly, the green initiative is launched jointly by HCLT foundation and Exnora International. “We plan to plant 340 saplings in Virugambakkam,” said Youth ExNora International national joint secretary A Senthil Kumar and V Anantha Krishnan, administrative head of HCLT.

The saplings will be planted at 22 office locations besides residential areas. “We are involving senior citizens and children in this initiative,” says Senthil.

Interestingly, the organizers feel the biggest challenge is electricity cables and telephone cables which they come across while digging the pit to plant to the saplings. Even the mayor has highlighted the issue and suggested that the plots should be used instead of planting it near the footpath, said Senthil. On Saturday, 200 saplings will be planted at Sholingnalur, said Senthil.