IT department to plant 159 trees along Vellalore lake

Coimbatore: The income tax department will plant 159 trees along the Vellalore lake on the occasion of the 159th Income Tax Day on Wednesday.
The department launched the drive on Tuesday and planted 10 trees on the south side of the lake. Native species associated with nakshatra (stars in the Indian astrological system) including amla (Indian gooseberry), naaval (black plum), marudham (arjun tree) punnai (mastwood) and arasu (sacred fig) are being planted to encourage more people take care of the trees.
“We wanted to plant native species trees that are suited to local conditions, easy to maintain and help the environment. The point of planting nakshatra trees is to bring more public to help maintain them by probably watering a tree associated with their astrological star or their loved ones’ astrological star,” said a senior IT department official.
“The saplings planted are 1.5ft to 2ft tall and will grow to at least 8ft,” said Manikandan of Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu, a forum that helped the department execute the drive.
Volunteers of the forum will maintain the trees.
“We will complete planting the remaining 149 trees over the next 10 days,” the official added.