COIMBATORE: The residents of Semmanichettipalayam village in Annur block have turned a 40-cent barren land into a green oasis, by setting up a Miyawaki forest that has 2,000 trees, within one-and-a-half years.
The village, which has several industrial units, lacked green spaces, said G Bagyaraj, a schoolteacher. “We also faced acute water shortage.
In January 2021, we started planting saplings of siru nelli (small gooseberry), peru nelli (Indian gooseberry), jackfruit, poovarasan (portia tree), naval (Java plum), custard apple, neem, bilva (Indian bael) and sapota on a lake bund belonging to the Masakavundan Chettipalayam panchayat,” he told TOI.
Before planting began, the bund was levelled using an earthmover, said A Bakyaraj, another villager. “Some of the saplings that did not grow well were replaced with new ones. With the help of philanthropists, we fenced the area and installed a drip irrigation system. Now that the trees have grown, we water them once every 10 days.” The green patch is now attracting birds. “We have also planted host plants to attract butterflies.” Bakyaraj added.
After the bund was fortified, the lake is brimming again and the village is now self-reliant in meeting its water requirements. The volunteers now plan to set up several such mini-forests across the village.
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