Siruthuli, in collaboration with J S Auto Cast Foundry India Pvt. Ltd., has launched the second phase of Periyamman Kovil Vanam in Annur, Coimbatore district, with the planting of 10,000 saplings to mark the 95th birth anniversary of former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The plantation drive was held on land belonging to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, reaffirming the organisations’ commitment to environmental conservation and ecological restoration.
Founded in 2003, Siruthuli has been working for more than 23 years on water resource rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting, tree plantation, solid and liquid waste management, and environmental awareness initiatives across Coimbatore and other districts.
The partnership between Siruthuli and J S Auto Cast Foundry India Pvt. Ltd. has continued for the second consecutive year. Under the first phase of Periyamman Kovil Vanam, 10,000 saplings were planted last year. The latest phase adds another 10,000 saplings to strengthen the region’s green cover and support long-term ecological restoration.
P. Ramesh, Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE Department, Coimbatore, attended the inauguration as chief guest. The guests of honour were Sumeet Banga, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of J S Auto Cast Foundry India Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Leena Deshpande, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bharat Forge Ltd.; and Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee of Siruthuli.
Members of Siruthuli’s apex body and staff, along with employees of J S Auto Cast Foundry India Pvt. Ltd., also participated in the event.
Five volunteers from Annur were felicitated for their dedicated contribution to the development of Periyamman Kovil Vanam. The volunteers have been involved in the initiative every Sunday, carrying out maintenance work and helping ensure the healthy growth of the saplings.
Students from Nava Bharath International School, Swami Vivekananda Matriculation Higher Secondary School and SNS College of Technology also took part in the plantation drive. Their participation highlighted the importance of involving young people in environmental protection and promoting awareness of conservation.
The initiative aims to expand green cover in Annur, support local biodiversity and encourage sustained community participation. The organisers said continued plantation and maintenance efforts would be essential to creating lasting environmental benefits for the region.
