43,000 pits dug in rural areas: Dindigul Collector DINDIGUL: Two lakh saplings will be planted in various places in the district shortly. Preliminary work had begun in urban and rural areas, said Collector, M Vallalar. He was presiding over a meeting on planting of trees at villages and in towns here on Thursday. Planting of trees were important to maintain oxygen level in the atmosphere that was highly polluted owing to various factors. Trees cleaned the air and balanced atmospheric temperature. Saplings will be planted at panchayats, in schools, around government buildings, on the banks of irrigation tanks and on road sides. Necessary information had been collected regarding the number of saplings required by people, schools and other organisations and on number of pits required to be dug, suitable locations at villages and in towns. A total of 1.5 lakh school children and 1.5 lakh members of SHGs will suffice to maintain these saplings at least for one year, he added. Forty three thousand pits had already been dug in rural areas. Industrialists in the district have agreed to donate one lakh saplings and Isha Yoga, Palani Hill Conservation Council, Dindigul Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Lions Clubs and other voluntary organisations came forward to offer thousands of trees for the purpose. The saplings will be fencedfor a year, he added.