In an effort to replace the trees destroyed by the recent cyclone Thane, the Tree Bank of India has launched a plantation drive in the city. Volunteers of the programme estimated that in the 200 wards of Chennai Corporation around 417 trees on roadsides, in schools and public places had been uprooted and broken due to the disaster.
The first phase of the drive was held at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar. Kuppusamy, Chief Education Officer, Chennai, inaugurated the event along with headmistress V M Kalavalli. Tree Bank founder G Mullaivanam organised the event. Environmental activists, members of Tree Bank, volunteers and school students participated. The saplings planted were named Thane Typhoon Trees.