Residents tag flora using QR code, name boards in Indira Nagar park

Chennai: If you are visiting the corporation-run park at Indira Nagar in Adyar, look out for the QR code-embedded display boards next to plants and trees. Scanning them directs you to a website, providing a crisp 200-word summary on the plant species.These boards were designed and installed a month ago by local residents. "Several youngsters visit parks. But ask them to identify the plants or tree species, and no one gets it right. So, we chose this method," said resident-activist C Namachivayam, who spearheaded the idea.Tucked away on quiet 4th street and spanning 1.7acres, the park is home to about 150 tree species such as Indian butter tree and coral tree and cannonball — 40 of which have been tagged using these name boards. While the board contains basic information on the plant and family name, scanning the QR provides additional data. Residents ideated upon the website, and Rotary Club of Madras Temple City pitched in with monetary support, spending up to 350 per board. "The purpose is to spread awareness on flora. As youngsters are glued to phones, we went the digital way," Namachivayam added.Apart from the boards, locals played a role in building the website too. "We rented a server for three years to host the portal. Data on each of the plant species was collated with help from experts. Soon, we will tag all of them," said K Srinivasa Raghavan, who built the portal and the QR.Environmentalist T D Babu helped the team with the scientific information. "Besides planting trees, Green Tamil Nadu Mission and GCC's parks department can conduct such outreach initiatives to aid conservation and boost tree diversity," Babu said."This is a small project that can be executed in other parks also, especially in T Nagar. The Rotary Club of Madras Temple City took this up as a pilot project. The corporation was intimated about all the efforts and the work was done with prior permission," said Rotarian V S Ganesan.