Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) in association with the Horticulture Department will plant 1.54 lakh saplings in its 65 Wards as part of World Environment Day celebrations, said Mayor B. Bhagyavathi.

Addressing a press conference at the MCC Office here yesterday, she said that this is as part of the ‘Laksha Vruksha’ (one lakh tree) project launched  at a cost of Rs.5 crore and it is likely to be completed in three months duration.

In every Ward different species of 1,250 plants including 750 ornamental ones will be planted. The saplings will be bought from the Horticulture Department wing’s Nursery Co-operative Society, Bengaluru at Standard Rates (SR), she said.

After the saplings are planted it will be nurtured and protected. Plants will be watered and tree guards fixed. The MCC will take the responsibility of nurturing 10,000 plants. The private and voluntary organisations will be entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and nurturing the remaining plants, said Bhagyavathi.

She said that saplings have been planted by Deputy Mayor Indira Mahesh and herself in the MCC premises, thus launching the greening movement.

Former Deputy Mayor Mahadevamma, Corporator S. Balu and Horticulture Department Assistant Director E. Muralidhar were present on the occasion.