Puducherry:
Lieutenant Governor Dr Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister N Rangasamy and his cabinet colleagues today planted saplings in the precincts of Rajnivas, marking the start of a massive programme to restore green cover in the cyclone hit Union Territory.
The administration has drawn up plans to plant 2.5 lakh saplings in the whole region, including rural areas. The project would be completed in the 2012-13 fiscal, official sources told reporters.
Puducherry had lost around two lakh trees in the cyclone Thane that hit Puducherry on December 30 2011.
Singh urged the people to work with government departments to make 'Mission Green Puducherry' a resounding success. The Mission is aimed at restoring pristine green beauty of Puducherry, he said.
Chief Minister N.Rangasamy said the administration had geared up the machinery to ensure that the green look of Puducherry was regained.
A detailed plan had been drawn up and was being implemented to ensure early implementation of the scheme, he said.