THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Come, join the big green initiative being launched by the Social Forestry Wing of the State Forest Department. The wing, as part of the Haritha Keralam Mission of state government, has grown five lakh seedlings which are to be planted in the district with the help of individuals, local self-governments, various institutions and organisations.
According to J R Ani, assistant conservator of forests (social forestry), the distribution, which started on Thursday, is getting an encouraging response. “We are flooded with requests. More applications are from voluntary organisations and political parties,” he said.
The saplings, scientifically grown at the nurseries owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Social Forestry Division, are of good quality. The nurseries of the division are at Puravur and Poovanpara under the Attingal Range, Mailamoodu and Chettiye Konna Kayam under Thiruvananthapuram Range and Ponnamkulam under the Neyyattinkara Range.30-odd ethnic species are ready for distribution include mango, jackfruit, tamarind, (njaval) Indian blackberry, mathalam (pomegranate), mandaram (dwarf white bauhinia), mahogany and jacaranda.
A sacred grove collection is also on offer. This package includes seedlings of species found in traditional sacred groves including njaval (Indian blackberry), kambakam (hopia parvi flora), kani konna (Cassia fistula), koovalam (bilva tree) and aryaveppu (neem).
Seedlings are being supplied free to organisations. Individuals will be charged Rs 17 for a seedling and Rs seven for a teak stump.
The social forestry wing is undertaking different programmes for environment awareness and forest protection. Besides planting saplings, the wing conducts awareness classes and seminars, cleans public roads and protects avenue trees.
“Of late we are focusing on people participation in all our programmes. The programme to clean public ponds with people’s participation is getting good response,” said Ani. The district administration has sought the support of the wing to distribute free saplings to all schools in the district. This project involves distribution of seedlings to students of government and aided schools.
Setting an example
Thiruvananthapuram-based Sound Engineering Academy has set an example by including “seedling growing” in the curriculum. The institution has decided to supply a seedling to each of the 60 students for the diploma course in sound engineering and sound recording. “They will be asked to plant the sapling on our campus and grow it. At the end of their course a grace mark will be given to the student if the seedling has grown well,” said A R Vishnu, director and CEO.
Seedlings have been provided to the academy by the Social Forestry Wing. Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social forestry) J R Ani said they help several institutions to make their campuses greener. “We have associated with several institutions like Technopark, LPSC Valiyamala etc. Discussions are on to replace the acacia trees on Kerala University campus at Karyavattom with ethnic species,” he said. The officer said his department has stopped the practice of growing acacia since they lead to ground water depletion. “Now ethnic species, especially fruit bearing trees are being focused upon,” he said.
Want a sapling?
Contact the Forest Range offices near you. Neyyattinkara Range Officer 8547603701, Thiruvananthapuram Range Officer 8547603702, Attingal Range Officer 8547603703