CHENNAI: What can a fruit tree do at your garden besides providing some scrumptious fruits to gorge on, some shade and green cover to the surroundings?
The answer lay with students of St Joseph’s High School, Susaipuram, Nungambakkam and the Indo International Initiative Billions of Fruit Trees (IIIB FT), who handed over around 3,000 saplings grown over a period of time, to the Tree Bank on Saturday.
“We encourage the students to collect fruit seeds lying around in their households and sow them on their school campus or surroundings,” said Professor Alagu Perumal, founder, IIIBFT.
The idea is to grow fruit saplings like mango, tamarind, jamun and over 15 other varieties of fruits. The saplings will be handed over to Mullaivannan of the Tree Bank Trust, besides other interested individuals and organisations who then plant them in places across the city and State, he said.
“With over 1,000 saplings grown the previous year and 3,000 seeds sown by the students of Joseph’s school this year, the initiative is such that most students flock the school even during summer holidays to take care of the saplings, thanks to Physical Education Teacher Sahayaraj, who helps the schoolchildren in this green initiative,” Perumal added. IIBFT kicked off the initiative with 2,000 plus saplings in 2012 and distributed 25,000 saplings among 16 schools last year. They are looking towards growing 50,000 saplings among 25 schools by this year end.