Copyright thehindu
As part of the 4th Mega Book Fair to be held in Virudhunagar from November 14 to 24, school students sowed 5,000 palmyrah seeds along Koushika River at Vadamalaikurichi in the district on Wednesday. Collector N.O. Sukhaputra formally inaugurated the exercise in which 250 students planted the seeds under the aegis of Green Birds and Young Green Activists. Under the palmyra seeds plantation programme 2025 by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Green Tamil Nadu Mission, every panchayat union would plant 5,000 palmyrah seeds. So far, four lakh seeds had been planted and by November another eight lakh seeds would be sowed, the Collector said. He added that the book fair would be held on KVS Higher Secondary School ground. Government organisations, non-government organisations, voluntary organisations, teachers and students would conduct several programmes at the book fair. Since, Virudhunagar district had lesser geographical area of forest, the palmyrah seeds planting exercise was carried out by Government departments along with farmers and students with the objective of increasing the green cover in the district. Palmyrah would help reduce air pollution, contain soil erosion and improve soil fertility. Besides, it would increase ground water table. The fruits of palmyrah would help people increase their immunity and also had several medicinal benefits. Deputy Director (Srivilliputtur Meghamalai Tiger Reserve) R. Murugan, and Deputy Director, Agriculture, A. Amsaveni were among those who were present.
