A large-scale tree plantation drive covering 28 acres was launched on Friday by the Department of Geology and Mining, Coimbatore district, in association with the Coimbatore District Crusher and Quarry Welfare Association.

The initiative was inaugurated at a site belonging to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in Chettipalayam. The programme aims to enhance green cover and promote environmental conservation in the region.

District Collector Pawan Kumar,District Forest Officer Venkatesh Prabhu,Deputy Director of Geology and Mining Jayapal, State President of the Crusher, Quarry and Lorry Owners’ Welfare Association Chinnasamy, and office-bearers of the district association participated in the event. More than 500 people attended the plantation programme.

Over 30 varieties of saplings, including Pungan, Vaagai, Neem, Nochi and Agarwood, were planted during the drive. In the first phase, around 3,000 saplings will be raised and maintained by utilising the southwest monsoon.

Association representatives said that a similar initiative undertaken in June last year saw the planting of 5,000 saplings. Over the past few years, the Crusher and Quarry Welfare Association has been carrying out afforestation activities in drought-prone areas, with saplings being maintained through drip irrigation systems.

Tree plantation efforts in areas such as Chettipalayam and Orattukuppai have contributed significantly to improving green cover, they added.