PRESS RELEASE As per the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu inaugurated a mass tree-planting event in Ariyalur district, distributed safety equipment to workers, and launched development works funded under the Mineral Resources Development Fund. On 05.06.2026, to mark World Environment Day, the Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu planted saplings at a mass tree-planting event held at the limestone mine site of UltraTech Cement Limited at Ottakovil, Ariyalur Panchayat Union, Ariyalur district, and inaugurated three completed development works worth Rs. 57.21 lakh funded through the Mineral Resources Development Fund. The event was attended by Chief Secretary, Natural Resources Department, Thiru Sungongam Jadak Siru, IAS; Director of Geology and Mining Thiru Tha. Mohan, IAS; District Collector of Ariyalur Smt. N. Mirunalini, IAS; and Superintendent of Police, Ariyalur, Thiru Visvesh Balasubramaniam Sastri, IPS. Inaugurating the mass tree-planting event and the completed development works, the Minister for Natural Resources addressed the gathering as follows: "In accordance with the wishes of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, this World Environment Day celebration is being held. Beyond this day, we must all continue such initiatives every single day - planting saplings, nurturing them properly, and leaving behind a good nation for future generations. I am extremely happy to see the workers employed at UltraTech. We must use the Mineral Resources Development Fund to provide the people of this region with the drinking water, healthcare and other facilities they need. This is also what the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu expects of us. Protecting the people and fulfilling their needs is our duty. Carrying this out wholeheartedly is the wish and dream of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and it is my earnest request that this be fulfilled. Reaching out to village communities and providing them the facilities they need is what constitutes true development, and this is the Government of Tamil Nadu's firm belief. I take great pride in saying that our Hon'ble Chief Minister will stand as the foremost champion for farmers, labourers and factory workers. This district, which hosts massive cement factories and abundant mineral wealth, also has a large number of slum settlements and homeless people. On my behalf, I make a request to the factories: you are contributing to our nation's and our State's progress through cement production from this district. At the same time, I request that you build quality housing for the people of this district. Another important request to the cement factories is to give priority employment to the people of this district. If we protect nature, nature will protect us. With the resolve that we shall all come together under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to build a prosperous and safe Tamil Nadu by balancing development and environment, I extend my thanks," said the Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu. Earlier, the Minister distributed saplings to villagers, safety and health equipment to mine workers, and free spectacles to the public, released a book on biodiversity, and viewed an audio-visual presentation on biodiversity conservation measures undertaken by UltraTech and other companies. Subsequently, under the Mineral Resources Development Fund, the Minister opened for public use: a newly constructed Anganwadi centre worth Rs. 13.57 lakh at Namangulam Panchayat in Senthurai taluk, Ariyalur district; a newly built culvert and retaining wall worth Rs. 19.24 lakh on the crematorium road in the Adi Dravidar street area of Nakkampadi Panchayat; and a 700-metre stretch of road worth Rs. 24.40 lakh from the Marakkurichi main road to the crematorium road in Maikkumadaiyan village. The event was attended by Additional Director, Geology and Mining, Chennai, Smt. Se. Aruna; District Revenue Officer, Ariyalur, Smt. K. Ra. Mallika; Revenue Divisional Officer, Ariyalur, Selvi Premi; Assistant Director of Mines, Ariyalur, Smt. Suguna; Chairman of the Chettipalayam UltraTech Cement Limited unit, Thiru K. Karunakara Rao; along with other government officials, cement plant management representatives and workers. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9