The Chennai Corporation has begun a green drive to retrieve the palmyra and the move has received appreciation from tree-lovers and environmentalists.

Called the Karpaga Virutsham, the palmyra was once abundant in the city.  In the last two decades it has vanished due to rapid urbanisation.

“The palm tree is drought-resistant and requires little water.  Even saline water will not affect its growth,” says ‘Nursery’ Rajendran, a tree-lover who supplies saplings.

However, the IIT Madras campus has a large number of this indigenous species.

Listing many places from where the palm has disappeared, he said Siruseri and Oragadam were such places. “I was asked to assist in cutting palm trees in Siruseri. But, I have opted out,” he recalls. Each and every part of the tree is useful but its slow growth deters people from rearing it though it does not require maintenance.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai /  August 30th, 2013