The ‘Green Dream T.Nagar’ project launched by Exnora to reduce pollution in the area. / The Hindu / by Special Arrangement
T. Nagar Exnora Women’s Club (TEXWOC), Sharma Park Walkers’ Exnora and Sarathy Street Padmanaba Street Civic Exnora jointly launched ‘Green Dream T. Nagar’ project for reducing pollution in the area through a mega tree planting.
The campaign, which is supported by the State Forest department and Chennai Corporation, was inaugurated by S. Sakthi, Zone Chairman, Zone 9, Chennai Corporation, and Shanthi, Councillor, Division 113.
The project aims at planting at least 1,000 trees in T. Nagar and the neighbouring areas.
As part of this project, Exnora launched a mega tree planting event at Padmanaba Street, T.Nagar. More than 50 trees were planted at Sivasailam Street, Sarathy Street, Sharma Park, Habibullah Road, Padmanaba Street (East) and Periyar Road.
The unique part of this programme is the ‘One tree one family’ motto, in which each tree will be adopted by a family. The objective is to ensure that the trees are well maintained and protected. Exnora will follow up the initiative after a year and the growth and health of the trees will be evaluated. Children of the family, whose trees are the best maintained, will get a certificate of appreciation and a ‘Tree Guardian’ citation from Exnora International.
Radhika Anand, president TEXWOC, shared her experience in successfully implementing a roof-top garden campaign in T. Nagar. “Pollution level in the city is increasing day-by-day, resulting in respiratory diseases. The only permanent solution to this problem is to substantially increase greenery. Along with tree planting, roof-top gardens should be promoted to achieve the necessary green cover.”
Mr. Anand Laxman, Senator, Exnora International, said, “In T. Nagar, the particulate matter and dust particle levels are the highest, making it the most polluted area in the city. The problem is exacerbated during festival seasons. Added to this, T. Nagar has lost more than 60 per cent of its green cover due to various construction projects, including the three flyovers.” The only solution to the pollution problem is to substantially increase greenery, he added.
R. Govindaraj, joint general secretary, Exnora International, said that global warming has become an imminent danger to our environment. In order to increase the rate of tree planting, people must go in for tree adoption.
Appreciating the efforts of TEXWOC, Sakthi said, “We have planned to initiate several such mega tree planting projects in T. Nagar and Teynampet along with Exnora.” Office-bearers of Civic Exnora units and members of resident welfare associations participated in the event.
source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / September 29th, 2012