KOCHI:Don’t get surprised if you see notices on trees in the city with the message ‘the fruits on this tree are reserved for birds’, in the future.
The project was inaugurated on the premises of the Corporation Library at Chullikal on Saturday by planting a sapling.
The Jain Foundation, run by Mukesh Jain of Mattancherry, has initiated a novel project in the city to ensure that the birds get fed properly. As part of the innovative project, saplings of a variety of trees, including those of mango, and guava, will be planted in and around the city.
“With the city becoming a business hub, trees that provide fruits and shade have disappeared, adversely affecting the birds that depend on them for food. Even migratory birds have started skipping the city. We are just making an attempt to feed them by planting trees exclusively for them,” said Mukesh Jain, who had earlier launched similar initiatives in the city, including those aimed at reducing the weight of schoolbags, fixing reflectors on roads and banning use of glass-coated kite stings.
“We won’t be able to plant trees across the State, and this is an awareness campaign. If people join us in this endeavour it would be helpful to both the birds and the humans,” Mukesh added. The Foundation plans to launch the project by planting four saplings on the premises of the Chullikal Corporation Library on Friday.
At the inaugural function, officials of the Fire and Rescue Services unit at Mattancherry; Corporation councillors T K Ashraf and A H Niyas; and Kochi Biennale Trustee Bonny Thomas were present. The Jain Foundation is in charge of taking care of the saplings.