Green T. N. Mission: Forest Dept. plants Casuarina equisetifolia saplings, palmyra seeds along Attangarai sea shore
with pic (Balachandar)
RAMANATHAPURAM
The Forest Department under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission has planted Casuarina equisetifolia (savukku maram) saplings and palmyra seeds along the coastal boundary of Attangarai in Ramanathapuram district.
As the project aims for the rehabilitation of the coastal habitats through formation of a bio-shied, it was believed to protect the neighbouring areas from strong winds rising from the sea, said S. Hemalatha, District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram district.
This would also be a natural shelter from any disaster or strong waves or even erosion, she added.
Under the project, 20,000 Casuarina equisetifolia saplings and 50,000 palmyra seeds were placed .
The fully grown trees could control the wind flow that is directed towards the land from the sea, she noted.
'Crops that are grown near the seashore could also be saved from heavy winds,' she noted.
Similarly, in Sayalkudi Reserve Forest, along the boundary, 10,000 Casuarina equisetifolia saplings were planted, and inside the forest area, one lakh palmyra seeds were planted, Ms. Hemalatha said.
As the trees would be forming a natural boundary for the reserved forest, intrusion of outsiders would be prevented, she noted.
Though the project does not cover the maintenance works, the forest department has arranged for maintenance along with the locals, she added.
Further, she said that produce from the trees could also be utilised by the public.
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