For the third time in a row, the Dindigul district administration of Tamil Nadu has entered the record books for taking initiatives to increase the green cover of the state and improve the ground water potential.
The administration set the latest record by conducting a massive tree plantation drive in the district, where more than six lakh trees were planted in a record time of two hours.
The administration, in association with a lot of stakeholders, managed to conduct this drive on 23 December, 2022, which resulted in entering the Elite World Records, Asian Records Academy, India Records Academy and Tamilian Book of Records in the category of ‘Most Trees Planted by a Team in 4 Hours (Single Location)’.
PLANNING
Dindigul has been taking up record-setting initiatives under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, which aims at increasing the green cover in Tamil Nadu from 23.69% to 33%. While speaking to Indian Masterminds, DC Dindigul, Dr S. Visakan said, “About a year ago, we got more than one lakh saplings from Rajahmundry district of Andhra Pradesh, which is known to have good quality trees. Under the green mission, these trees were planted on the roadside of the whole district and was very well appreciated by the people. In the past one year since these trees were planted, we saw a remarkable growth and it was even adding up to the overall appearance.”
Motivated by this, the district administration, under the vision of TN Minister R. Sakkarapani, planned to plant more than six lakh trees through Miyawaki method in a particular location within a period of six hours.
Dr. Visakan further said that a barren land of about 127 acre was identified, which in the past four months was cleaned with a lot of effort. Hence, after a micro-level planning, a layout of the whole land was designed which accommodated a Children’s Park, blocks for a dense forest, well, trenches, bore wells, an irrigation system, solar power harvesting structures, herbal garden, toilet facilities, administrative block, and many more.
MASSIVE DRIVE
With the help of the district administration and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Forest Department and Ever-Green City Club, 16,500 volunteers planted around 6.03 lakh plants in a 127-acre area at Idayakottai village in Dindigul district in a record time of 2 hours.
With this drive, the district added its name to the record books for the third time in a row. Dr. Visakan said, “The most important thing is that we opened bore wells and open wells, and ensured that water is available for that place. Secondly, we also ensured that the growth of the saplings will be taken care of by an NGO and also got an undertaking from the people so that the saplings grow well. I also personally visited the place after the drive was conducted, so as to monitor that no damage is caused to any plant.”
Tree species like neem, manila tamarind, north Indian rosewood, paradise tree, rain tree, devil’s tree, and many more were planted.
ADVANTAGES
Talking about the advantages, the officer said that the particular area where the trees were planted was a barren and dry land which was till now of no use to humankind. “This place required a green revolution so that bio-diversity is maintained and it can also become a major source of oxygen for the whole district,” Dr. Visakan said. Also, with a wide variety of trees, it will help in getting more rains and will benefit people at large, he added.
