Suvendu plants 100,000th tree at HEL

Kolkata: The 600 MW thermal power plant of Haldia Energy turned a landmark in green belt development on Tuesday, when Suvendu Adhikari, minister-in-charge, Environment and Transport department, planted HEL's 100,000th tree.

Rabi Chowdhury, managing director, said that HEL is committed to keep the plant site green and has plans to substantially raise the number of trees in the area.

Adhikari planted the plant's first Rudraksha tree at the garden of rare medicinal plants recently set up by HEL. Under expert guidance, the garden of medicinal trees, named 'Rishi Krishi', now has 28 plants from different parts of the world.

The HEL garden now has eleven Rudraksha trees and more are being planned.

Sudipta Mukherjee, vice-president and plant head,

Haldia Energy, said: "Among the medicinal plants already growing up in our garden are Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Aloe Vera, Thankuni, Tulsi, Horitoki and many others. We have plans to bring more plants from different parts of the country in due course."

The green belt at Haldia Energy plant now comprises more than 10,000 fruit-bearing trees, as well as large forest trees and avenue plantations.

Last month, HEL had launched the "Shyamala – Dhusar Theke Sabuj" project as part of World Environment Day Celebrations.

Of the 11 Rudraksha trees planted on Tuesday, there are different varieties from "3 Mukhi to 6 Mukhi" types. A team of trained gardeners have been engaged for tending them.

HEL plans to celebrate Aranya Saptaha in the second week of July, when the number of trees will increase further.