Over two lakh saplings being raised for distribution The Forest Department will distribute over two lakh saplings, free of cost, to residents of Virudhunagar district for improving the green cover. The spadework has begun and the distribution exercise will begin in October, according to a top official. Being a dry belt, saplings ideal for cultivation in black cotton soil are being produced. Individuals, farmers, educational institutions, private and government establishments can approach the department for their requirements. The Forest Department officials also offer their service for planting the saplings. The only requirement on the part of those who buy saplings is that they should nurture them by watering the plants regularly. Though it plans to rope in all departments in this big exercise, it wants to involve the Highways Department first to plant saplings on highways. Avenue trees too can be grown in Virudhunagar despite scanty rainfall and make it similar to Bangalore city. The dry conditions are not an excuse but it all depends on the attitude of the people. Lands or houses with green cover will not only provide aesthetic look and pleasant atmosphere but fetch good returns also. Land value will go up wherever good green cover is there, he said. Inside the grizzled squirrel sanctuary also, steps are being taken to improve the green over so that the conditions are conducive for birth and growth of territorial birds and wild animals. Spread over 480 square kilometres and located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary receives less rainfall. Being a home for endemic species like grizzled squirrel, which is arboreal, tree saplings like tamarind, wild mango, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia amara and Syzygium cumini are being planted along the streams and wherever vacant land is there to replace trees which whither away in course of time. Seedlings at the rate of 100 per hectare were planted on 40 hectares last year. The number of these squirrels and birds has increased indicating that the sanctuary has become a safe habitat for them. Percolation ponds, check-dams and water holes are being created in the forest to prevent animals from straying into human habitats. Elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fences are erected to confine them to their habitats. Villagers living near the forests are given crackers to scare away wild animals. Thus the man-animal conflict is prevented here to a great extent unlike in regions like Coimbatore, Hosur and Udhagamandalam.