Bhopal, Aug 7 - Students of classes 5 to 9 in schools run by the Catholic church in Madhya Pradesh will now get extra marks in their examinations if they plant saplings and take care of them.

The programme, christened 'Matra Chhaya', has been launched in all the 50 districts of the state, the programme's director Anand Muttungal told IANS, adding that it will be part of environmental studies.

The student who plants the sapling will have to put a tag on the plant, bearing the name of the programme, the school, the student and his/her class. The teacher in charge of the programme can inspect the plant any time and the student will be awarded up to seven marks in the examination as per the care taken.

'The earth is our mother, she gives everything for us, so we want to provide her shade and save her from heat and pollution. Through this movement we are planning to plant and take care of 20,000 plants in the state,' Muttangal said.

In Bhopal, St. Mary's School has started this movement and many more are expected to join.