President Kalam to the rescue of Kochi's green cover

Kochi, Dec 14 (UNI) Pained over reports that three flowering 'gulmohar' trees were truncated on the Marine Drive here as part of the preparations for his visit next week, President A P J Abdul Kalam has directed the district administration to plant three times the number of saplings before his arrival.

Ernakulam District Collector A P M Mohammad Hanish told UNI that the president's press secretary telephoned him this afternoon and conveyed Dr Kalam's instructions.

''The planting will start tomorrow itself. I have given the necessary directions. The work will be over before the president's arrival here on December 19,'' he added.

The chopping of huge branches of the gulmohar trees by the PWD Department yesterday had led to an outcry among environmentalists and concerned citizens. The branches were lopped off to clear the way for a helipad at the Marine Drive.

Mr Hanish said that he had forwarded a report on the incident to the chief secretary.

UNI ARC DK1804