The compensatory tree planting mission of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was launched here on Friday. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd managing director (KMRL) Elias George planted the first sapling at the land owned by the HMT near Kalamassery, which has been identified for the proposed casting yard for Kochi Metro Rail.
A total of 500 saplings were planted on Friday and students from various schools in the city also participated in the DMRC’s efforts.
“The policy of the DMRC is to carry out the construction of the Kochi Metro in the most environment-friendly manner. For every single tree that is chopped down for the construction of Kochi Metro, we are planning to plant ten trees as compensation,” said an official spokesperson of the DMRC.
Since it is difficult for planting trees along the narrow roads of Kochi, the DMRC is looking for more open spaces and government-owned lands where it can plant the saplings and thereby create a green belt for the city, he said.
“Though more trees need to be cut for the Kochi Metro, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will carry out the green zone plan,” he added.
Ernakulam District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth, DMRC project manager P Sriram and the officials of the HMT also took part in the planting mission on Friday.