KOZHIKODE, November 25, 2013
Two days in the lap of nature and a whole new experience living in harmony with it. That was ‘Haritha Theerthadanam’ (green pilgrimage) for the 25 odd youngsters who took part in this novel study camp organised by the Green Community, an environmental organisation.
‘Haritha Theerthadanam’ was held to the Vallikkunnu-Kadalundi Community Reserve, which houses one of the only five notified wetlands in the State, and the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary. The participants stayed in tents on the banks of the Kadalundi River, lined with mangroves, had food that was collected from nature, and had two days soaking up the beauty of the land and river.
A class by Jaffer Palot, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India, on Saturday was a refreshing experience for the participants. He spoke on the wide variety of organisms which made the mangrove forests their habitat, the slightly evolved varieties of mangroves along the coast, and their role in preventing damage during natural disasters such as storms and tsunamis and attracting migratory birds.
Mangrove conservation
Kallen Pokkudan, environmental activist who championed the cause of mangrove conservation, visited the camp. His presence triggered a healthy debate on mangrove conservation. He stayed with the camp till the end, and even took part in the boating through the Kadalundi River on Sunday. The participants set off in two country boats to the bird sanctuary. Further discussions on the challenges in mangrove conservation followed. Environmentalist T. Shobheendran led the participants.
Green Community’s Kozhikode district coordinator N. Balakrishnan Kannancheri, district convenor Sandeep K.M. and State committee member Pramod Mannadath were present. The community is planning a State-level camp on the lines of the ‘Hartiha Theerathadanam.’
THE HINDU25/11/2013
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