Kerala - Kochi   

Striking a balance between development and environment

Staff Reporter

FOR A `GOLDEN MEAN: Mayor Mercy Williams inaugurating the conference on Environment and Heritage in Kerala in the city on Wednesday. - Photo: Vipin Chandran

KOCHI: The two-day conference on Environment and Heritage in Kerala is an attempt to strike a balance between preserving our heritage, looking after the environment and, at the same time, balancing these efforts with the need for rapid development.

Organised by the Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore, in collaboration with the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED), Corporation of Cochin and Moozhikkulam Sala, the programme has brought together experts in the field to present papers and to lead open forums on what needs to be done.

B. Venugopal, Scientist in-charge of the Mysore Museum, explained the activities undertaken by the Museum in generating interest among the public, especially the young, in preserving our environment and heritage. He reminded the audience that one of the oldest museums of natural history was located in the heart of the city at the Maharaja's Zoology Department. He stressed the need for a resource centre in the State that will cater to various needs.

Among the presentations of the day was a plan for preservation of the heritage of Kochi. C. Rajan, Secretary, C-HED, said that both tangible and intangible heritage of Kochi needed to be preserved. Just as the environment and buildings needed to be cared for, intangibles like the cultural diversity of the city needed to be taken care of, said Dr. Rajan. The conference was inaugurated by Mayor Mercy Williams. Deputy Mayor C.K. Manishankar delivered the presidential address.

The second day of the conference on Thursday will include presentations on rivers and their role in the heritage of the State.

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