The "My Tree" project will be the world's biggest of its kind, the government said, ahead of the United Nations-sponsored day on Tuesday.

The tourist state's communist government aims to increase the region's forest cover to more than 33 percent from 24 percent currently.

"The programme was envisaged as part of efforts to achieve the goal of creating green cover of over 33.33 per cent of the area of the state," education minister M.A Baby told AFP in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Mango, jackfruit and tamarind saplings, and a host of other local trees, will be planted in schools, homes and public places, Forest Minister Binoy Viswom said.

The schools will also form panels to nurture the plants and monitor their progress.

Popular among holidaymakers for its beaches and backwaters, Kerala is also known for its lush tropical forests.

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