PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry government has drawn up a massive ‘Greening Puducherry’ programme under which 2.5 lakh saplings will be planted in non-forest areas in Puducherry region, where 85 per cent of green cover was lost in cyclone Thane.The ambitious project, which is pending government approval, was launched by Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh, who planted saplings at Raj Nivas on Friday. Chief Minister N Rangasamy was also present.As part of the plan, the Forest Department, in association with the people and in coordination with the departments of PWD and local administration, will plant saplings on public lands, schools and roads, said Rangasamy. Though the government had sought funds of Rs 25 crore for an afforestion programme to compensate for the damage caused by the cyclone, the Centre had rejected it as there is no provision to compensate for damaged trees under the Calamity Relief Fund. Once the project gets the government’s nod, the Centre would be approached for a special grant to restore the pristine beauty of Puducherry, officials said.
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