State Highways Department to plant 10,000 saplings in Vellore division

The State Highways Department has fixed a target of planting 10,000 tree saplings along the roads maintained by them in Vellore district.

The recharged groundwater has helped the department plant saplings on the roadside. At present contract workers are planting the saplings.

The project will continue till the month end. Till August 31, 2,500 saplings have been planted. The remaining saplings will be planted before September 30 in Vellore, Katpadi, Arcot, Walaja, and Arakkonam.

During road-widening projects, trees were cut and later three saplings were planted for every tree that was cut. However, many saplings were damaged or did not grow. The spots were identified and saplings were planted.

In the past three months, about 3,000 saplings were planted along the stretch in Thondanthulasi Road in Katpadi sub-division, Thellur Road in Vellore, Sembedu Road, Kaveripakkam Road in Sholingur region, and Venkatapuram Road in Banavaram region. A senior official said the target may even go up to 12,000 if weather permits.

Officials said additional saplings would be planted in the available space along the roads. They added that the Forest Department’s help would also be sought in identifying land to plant more saplings.

Source:thehindu