Medicinal plants expo begins today

Chennai: An exhibition of medicinal plants, aesthetic plants and trees and secondary timber will begin at Children's Park, Guindy, on Thursday.

Being organised by the research wing of the Forest department, it is aimed at encouraging people to plant saplings. The exhibition will feature nearly 130 plants and trees.
Among the important items on display will be eight species of bamboo successfully raised by the research wing. These can be grown and commercially exploited in the State, say officials.
As for the secondary timber, authorities say karungali, kumizh, malai vembu, eucalyptus and bamboo can be used instead of traditional and expensive timber species such as teak and rosewood for making furniture and other household articles.

Raising secondary timber on private land will yield an additional income of Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 to a farmer. The three sections of the exhibition will have an interpreter each.
The exhibition will be open to visitors at the audio-visual hall of Children's Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. till February 28.