Days after being elected from Tiruchi West, the former Minister K.N. Nehru (DMK) launched a sapling plantation drive in the constituency on Monday as a step towards fulfilling one of his major poll promises.
Mr. Nehru had written to the voters that he was contesting the election with certain “personal dreams” which included the launch of a mass greening drive in the city to mitigate the impact of climate change.
He had cited the scorching summer experienced by the city and expressed apprehension that the situation could turn worse in future. “I wish to launch a movement along with you to plant several thousands of tree saplings in the city and its surroundings,” he had said.
During a thanksgiving tour in the constituency on Monday, Mr. Nehru launched the sapling plantation drive and planted a few saplings near the Sri Ukkarakaliamman Temple at Anna Nagar in Thennur. “I had promised to take up a greening drive to the extent possible in Tiruchi city. The saplings will be planted wherever possible, especially along wide roads, without giving room for encroachments to come around the trees,” he said. Mr. Nehru said initially about 25,000 saplings would be planted in different parts of the constituency. Shade-giving varieties would be planted taking inputs from the Horticulture Department. Arrangements were being made to water the saplings regularly and provide tree guards to protect them from grazing animals, he said.
