CHENNAI: IIT Madras, which lost over 650 trees in the cyclonic storm Vardah, is trying to restore some of the lost green cover. The institute has proposed to transplant nearly 1,200 one-year-old saplings on several vacant land in the campus. Undertaken in two phases with a budget of `25 lakh, the trees have been carefully selected to ensure only native species are planted, the species are being chosen from a State-approved list, a press note from the institute said.
The trees and saplings are being sourced from the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tiruchy. Phase 1 involves planting approximately 600 trees, each costing `2,000, including the cost of the tree, tree guards, labour and maintenance.
M Subramanian, CEO (Development Office), IIT-M Charitable Trust, said the institute raised around `17.4 lakh from 181 donors and the fund raising drive was still going on. “We received funds for 870 of the total 1,200 trees planned. The funds have come from all over the world, including alumni, faculty, corporate firms and individuals,” he said.
The names of the donors will be displayed suitably. Each tree would be at least 10 feet tall. The tree species, including mango, gulmohar, neem, arasan, maramalli and wood apple, have been chosen for shade and food for the animals that are aplenty on the campus, he said.