VASCO: The South Western Railway (SWR) has undertaken massive plantation drive on its land to protect and improve the environment.
Around 69,947 saplings have been planted in its jurisdiction starting this Environment Day, June 5, as a part of its effort to increase the green cover.
In a press note, the SWR stated that fruit bearing plants like Jack Fruit, Java Plum, Guava, Custard Apple, Lemon, Mango, Jamun etc., medicinal plants such as Aloe Vera, Neem, Tulsi, Turmeric etc. have been planted in the premises of railway stations, offices, railway colonies, running rooms, rest houses, and other railway land.
Further, in Hubballi Division, 28,625 saplings have been planted in the current Financial Year while in Bengaluru Division 24,705 saplings and in Mysuru Division 14,617 saplings have been planted. Plantations have been done at Ballari, Kulem, Hubballi, Alnawar, Dharwad, Gadag, Koppal, Hosapete, Mudhalpur village, Vijayapura, Castlerock, Londa, Belagavi, Gokak, Ghataprabha, Raybag, Chinchli etc. In Hubballi Division; Kunigal, Yediyuru, Solur, Channarayapatna, Maddur, Yeliyur, Nayandahalli, Hanakere, Bengaluru, Sivadi, Dharmapuri, Hindupur, Sri Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam etc. In Bengaluru Division and Mysuru, Arsikere, Amaravathi Colony, Mayakonda, Sakaleshpur, Birur, Chitradurga, Hassan, Molkalmuru, etc. In Mysuru Division, it is planned to plant another 23,925 plants in the next two months.
In the current Financial Year, it has planned by the SWR to plant a total 5 lakh trees; 1.5 lakh trees each by Bengaluru, Mysuru and Hubballi Divisions and 50,000 trees by the construction organisation.
The tree plantation drive is being closely monitored by S P S Gupta, Principal Chief Engineer/South Western Railway.
SWR General Manager Sanjeev Kishore said that these trees/plants will add to the green cover but also help in reducing the air pollution.
The plantation drive will also contribute in mission of Indian Railways of becoming Net Zero Carbon emitter by the year 2030.
He said that as an innovative exercise fruit bearing trees and medicinal plants are being planted in Railway premises and colonies.