CHENNAI: If the Chennai Corporation has its way, the city will see the return of lost and forgotten species of indigenous trees like the Purasai tree (Palasha), as works are underway to set up a nursery on a one-acre strip of land in Madambakkam near Tambaram. The nursery, which will cost the civic body an estimated `1 crore, is coming up on the same piece of land where a small 10-bedded leprosy-care hospital is also being constructed by the Corporation. The nursery is expected to strengthen the civic body’s tree plantation drive.
After NGOs and environmentalists brought to the notice of the City Corporation that planting saplings was proving largely unsuccessful, the civic body decided that it was best to culture saplings under a controlled environment before transplanting them across the city.
“Planting saplings was not giving us the best results because of factors such as lack of personnel to nurture the saplings, protecting it from environmental and external hazards. It was also put to us that planting of saplings should not be about the numbers but about the quality,” said an official.
“So, at the nursery, the saplings will be cultured till they grow to about 10 feet tall, after which we will transplant them to the city,” the official added.
Subsequent discussions with Nizhal, the organisation that developed the Kotturpuram Tree Park, Forest Department and State government officials prompted the Corporation to explore the possibility of nurturing indigenous tree varieties.
“We have planned to enrich the city’s heritage value by bringing back lost species of trees, the ones with historical significance, instead of planting exotic species like Gul Mohar, among others. We will also select species that will provide better shade,” an official said. Bringing back the indigenous species means the return of the Purasai (Butea monosperma) tree.
Purasawalkam, the city’s other major commercial hub, gets its name from the tree. Unfortunately, only one Purasai tree remains in this locality.
“That is the one within Gangadeeswarar Koil. Similarly, the Punnai tree which has a cultural significance with Mylapore and the Iluppai are among the indigenous species that can be developed. It is heartening to see the Corporation finally deciding upon this. We have been trying to get them to do this for the last 10 years,” said Shobha Menon, founder-trustee of Nizhal.