The Election Department of Puducherry on Thursday launched a plantation drive under its “Count the Carbon 2.0” initiative.Over 1,000 saplings were planted in Manapattu under the “One Booth: One Tree” concept as part of the “Carbon Neutral Election - 2026” programme.The drive was inaugurated by Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar.According to N. Ramesh, Member Secretary of Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC), the drive was taken up to offset carbon emissions generated during election-related activities and to strengthen green cover in the Union Territory. Native tree species including pongamia, tamarind, manilla tamarind, jamun, punnai, iluppai, cashew, neem, paradise tree, magizham, alangi, banyan and peepal were planted.The plantation programme was carried out in coordination with the Department of Forest and Wildlife, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment and the PPCC.The initiative would help offset election-related carbon emissions, improve forest cover and support biodiversity conservation in Puducherry, Mr. Ramesh said. Published - May 21, 2026 07:12 pm IST