Farmer proposes fruit tree planting initiatives to feed birds, animals
Madurai : M Mariyappan , a farmer from Peraiyur , submitted a petition at the district collectorate during a grievance meeting on Monday seeking officials to prioritise planting native, fruit-bearing trees instead of non-fruit varieties on forest land and public places.
He said he planted trees such as guava and kodukkapuli on his land specifically to feed birds and local fauna. “Birds and deer from nearby forest come there every day for food and shade,“ he said, adding that existing govt afforestation drives often fail to support animal populations very well. He said many animals, particularly deer, end up attacked by stray dogs near his locality when they venture out of their habitats in search of water and natural fodder.
To mitigate human-wildlife conflict and preserve local ecology, he advocated for the planting of fruit-yielding species such as banyan, sacred fig, tamarind, jamun, cluster fig, and mulberries on forest land. He said he is willing to contribute Rs 5,000 to kickstart fund collection for such initiatives.
He said he planted trees such as guava and kodukkapuli on his land specifically to feed birds and local fauna. “Birds and deer from nearby forest come there every day for food and shade,“ he said, adding that existing govt afforestation drives often fail to support animal populations very well. He said many animals, particularly deer, end up attacked by stray dogs near his locality when they venture out of their habitats in search of water and natural fodder.
To mitigate human-wildlife conflict and preserve local ecology, he advocated for the planting of fruit-yielding species such as banyan, sacred fig, tamarind, jamun, cluster fig, and mulberries on forest land. He said he is willing to contribute Rs 5,000 to kickstart fund collection for such initiatives.
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