CHENNAI: With the help of MGNREGS workers, the state government has so far set up 1,045 nurseries of native species saplings with a total 1.55 crore saplings, according to the rural development department.
The saplings will be nurtured by the workers until they are over six feet tall, following which they will be planted along roadsides, officials said.
Apart from this, two saplings each will be given to houses constructed under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam and PMAY schemes.
The department is looking to implement similar plantation drives every year.
“We are also looking to plant tall saplings after the northeast monsoon so that the survival rate is higher,” said a department official.