Private player pitches in to help Loyola, Anna University regain green top

Mastermind Foundation, a non-profit organisation which has been involved in nurturing trees through its Viruksham programme, has already begun planting 140 saplings of 14 natural varieties on Loyola College campus premises. Thiagarajan, a representative of the foundation, said, “College authorities told us that a total of 168 trees were uprooted. We are now planting Neem, Pungai and Poovarasu, Teak, Badam, Mango, Rosewood and Vengai. 

The foundation will ensure maintenance till the saplings grow upto 6 feet.” Dr Lakshmi, director of the organisation, said, “The twohour cyclone uprooted trees, aged about 50 to 100 years. Our work, aided by college’s NCC wing, alumni and volunteers is to remove the uprooted tree and unnecessary debris, dig deeper pits if needed and plant the saplings.”    

Similarly, Anna University too approached them to regreen their vast campus, said Thiagarajan. The varsity’s green brigade, consisting of student volunteers, through a ground level survey found out that the campus had lost more than 600 trees. Dr Lakshmi said, “The foundation conducted a one-day workshop for brigade members a month ago and taught them how to undertake the planting exercise. The planting of saplings in Anna University will commence after Pongal.” 

Apart from these two institutions, the foundation has already planted 15 saplings each at Women’s Christian College and Good Shepherd school on College Road, 250 saplings at Sir M Venkatasubba Rao Matriculation Higher Secondary School in T Nagar, and another 100 at the deaf and dumb school at Chengalpattu.