The Hindu : Kerala / Kozhikode News : Greening Drive inaugurated

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Sunday, Jun 06, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kozhikode

Greening Drive inaugurated

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, JUNE 5. The Forest Minister, K. Sudhakaran, and Sugatha Kumari, poetess and environmentalist, participated in the inauguration of the Greening Drive. As part of the drive, saplings were planted on a 25-km stretch from Kozhikode to Balussery. The occasion was the observance of World Environment Day at the Mananchira Square here today under the aegis of the Social Forestry wing of the Forest Department, Green World and Satyadarshanam Shailam.

Students and teachers of schools and colleges, environmentalists and social activists participated in the planting drive.

Meanwhile, the Malabar Natural History Society, and the Department of Zoology, Malabar Christian College in association with INTACH (Calicut Chapter) observed World Environment day by organising a seminar on `Mangroves of Kerala' and a workshop on `Population monitoring of common birds of Kerala'.

The former Principal of the Calicut Medical College, K. Madhavankutty, who inaugurated the programme, said that the focus now was on mega schemes. There was always a vested interest in implementing such projects, he alleged. Priority ought to be given to eco-friendly small projects instead, he said.

John C. Jacob, environmentalist, delivered the keynote address. The Assistant Forest Conservator, O. Jayarajan, and I.G. Bhaskara Panicker among others spoke.

The meeting passed a resolution demanding the shelving of the proposed Pathrakkadavu project. The project would have an adverse impact on the eco system in the region, and affect the rare biodiversity of the Silent Valley, they pointed out.

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