Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Orchards in the making

The tree-rich campus of the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, will play host to a venture that involves mango trees this year.

Under the aegis of the green non-governmental organisation (NGO), Friends of Trees, a nursery of the traditional varieties of mango trees, endemic to the State, will be set up during the course of the year. Already the seeds of about 20 such varieties including Kilichundan, Moovandan, Komavu, Chunni, Ozhichukuttan, Pandi, Nambiar, Kappa and Nattuma have been collected from some districts in the State.

Gradually, the collection will be expanded to include all the extant varieties of endemic mangoes. Once the collection process is over and the saplings are ready, the Friends of Trees proposes to establish mango orchard in suitable areas in Thiruvananthapuram.

The former Chief Conservator of Forests C.K. Karunakaran says that in addition to being free from pests and diseases, the traditional varieties of the mango tree grow very large and are thus ideal for use as avenue trees. The genetically modified varieties, however, require heavy application of pesticides to get a yield of mature fruits, he adds. The nursery was recently inaugurated at the College of Engineering by the Principal, S. Pushpa Kumar.

Campus library woes

More than a year ago, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala B. Ekbal inaugurated the new building for the campus library at Karyavattom. The building was constructed so that the campus library could shift there and the internet facility could be retained in the old library building.

Till very recently though, the building could not be used, as it would get flooded after each rain. Only now, with the first floor of the building nearing completion, has the building become fit for occupation; at least on paper.

For all practical purposes, say sources in the university, the library may continue to function from the old building for some time to come. Sources say it was the shortage of funds that led to the delay in the library being shifted. The acting registrar of the university, K. Mohandas, denied that there was any problem with funds. "I will have to look into the reasons for the delay, if any," he said.

G. Mahadevan

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Orchards in the making

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