Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Thanjavur College Leads Districtwide Palmyrah Seed Afforestation Mission
A college in Thanjavur is helping grow more palmyrah trees.
Students collect palmyrah fruits that fall from farmers’ trees.
They dry the fruits and prepare the seeds for planting.
The college has collected 12,000 fruits and hopes to collect 100,000 seeds this year.
Farmers have promised to provide many more seeds.
The seeds will be planted near lakes, canals, and coastal areas.
Other groups and school students are also helping.
Palmyrah trees provide food, materials, jaggery, and protection from strong winds and storms.
Rajah Serfoji Government College’s National Service Scheme is collecting and sowing palmyrah seeds across Thanjavur district.
The college has collected 12,000 palmyrah fruits and aims to gather 100,000 seeds this year.
Farmers have pledged additional supplies, including assurances of 20,000 and 30,000 seeds.
Seeds will be planted at locations including Manora, Kallaperambur lake bund, and other sites.
Clean Thanjavur Movement and Tamil University students are also participating in palmyrah planting activities.
- Who
- The National Service Scheme volunteers of Rajah Serfoji Government College, farmers, the Clean Thanjavur Movement, and students.
- What
- They are collecting and planting palmyrah seeds as part of afforestation and environmental protection efforts.
- When
- The planting target is for this year, with a special sowing planned for September 24, NSS Day.
- Where
- Across Thanjavur district, including Manora, Kallaperambur lake bund, Tamil University, Rani Samudram lake bund, and canal bunds.
- Why
- To protect and propagate Tamil Nadu’s state tree, support local ecology, and contribute to the state’s target of planting one crore seeds.
- Current collection
- 12,000 palmyrah fruits have been collected.
- Annual target
- The college aims to collect 100,000 seeds this year.
- Statewide target
- The effort contributes to a state target of planting one crore seeds.
- Planned planting date
- A sowing drive is planned for September 24, observed as NSS Day.
- Tree species
- Palmyrah’s botanical name is Borassus flabellifer.
- Uses
- Palmyrah provides edible fruit and sprouts, fibre, leaves, and sap used to make karuppatti jaggery.
- Environmental role
- The trees act as natural windbreakers and barriers against severe cyclonic storms.