Raja Annamalaipuram lost much of its greenery in cyclone ‘Vardah’ in December 2016 and during the heavy rains in October last year. The neighbourhood lost more than 150 trees during the cyclone and the rains.
To restore the green cover, members of Raja Annamalai Puram Residents’ Association (RAPRA), led by its founder Dr. R. Chandrasekaran, are planting saplings across the locality.
Under the first phase of the project ‘RAPRA Green Initiative’, more than 10 native trees were planted along with tree guards on First Main Road (Western End), up to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) playground.
The native trees include Pongam, Mahogany, and Gulmohar trees. The roots of these trees will not protrude much and cause damage to storm water drains, sumps, and compound walls. Tender saplings must be protected by tree guards. It reduces the risk of saplings getting damaged, Chandrasekaran, pointed out.
K. Ramanathan, and P. Natarajan, residents of First Main Road, played a pivotal role in this tree-planting work.
“The necessary permission from the Corporation was obtained. Corporation workers helped us in digging wide pits for planting the saplings,” says K. Ramanathan.
The saplings will be watered twice every day by residents and security guards of residential apartments and homes.
Soon, display boards highlighting the importance of growing and conserving trees will be put up on the tree guards.
On Seventh Main Road, the residents have planted around 30 native tree saplings.
Soon, under the second phase of the project, steps will be taken to plant around 30 saplings on Fourth Main Road, S. Ravi Kumar, treasurer, RAPRA, said.
For details, contact Dr. R. Chandrasekaran at 98410 30040.