Saplings planted in village panchayats

Ariyalur: The Forest Department in this district launched a major afforestation programme by planting 2.09 lakh saplings across the district during 2015-16 financial year.

The saplings had been planted under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee programme in village panchayats, according to KS Sathyamoorthy, District Forest Officer.

The saplings, including teak and rain tree were raised on the banks of the Marudayar river basin, schools, and colleges besides either sides of highways.

Besides 1.50 lakh saplings had been raised on private lands under the Tree Cultivation in Private Land scheme.