In first phase, 30,000 saplings to be planted across 100 city roads

The re-greening initiative to plant and nurture two lakh trees, which will kick-off later this year, would be carried out in five phases. In the first phase, 30,000 saplings would be planted. Out of this, 8,500 would be undertaken by the Forest Department and 22,500 by civic body, across 100 roads identified by the civic body. 

According to the project report, the selection of species – 17 varieties of trees – was based on availability in the nurseries of Corporation and the Forest Department. Some of the species are Punnai, Sisu, Arasamaram, Malai Vaembu, Punga Maram among others. The species list was prepared carefully after excluding the weaker, non-native trees, giving preference to the varieties specific to the coastal climes of Chennai. In addition, the list also excludes dominant and common trees in the city, to not only avoid repetition but also enhance biodiversity.

In the 100 roads (mostly large avenues), 209 locations have been finalised. This came after a field assessment carried out in June and July last year. The locations were also decided based on other factors such as street furniture, vehicular traffic, people’s movement, presence of cement platform and storm water drains, to ensure that the saplings are protected and maintained. 

In addition to the roads, sapling planting drives would also be carried out in industrial estates at Ambattur and Guindy due to easy availability of open spaces to augment the existing green cover. 

During the first phase – to be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 5.29 crore — focusses on the northern part of the city (with the exception of Tondiarpet). Tiruvottiyur and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar top the list (2,950 saplings each) followed by Madhavaram (2,690). While South Chennai would get sufficient coverage, central zones such as Anna Nagar, Teynampet and Kodambakkam would witness less than a thousand saplings being planted.