Kerala - Kozhikode   

Efforts to save trees on MCH premises succeed

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: Representatives of environmental groups and authorities of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH) have decided not to cut the two huge hardwood trees on the premises of the Psychiatry Ward to construct the annexe of the psychiatry wing.

A softwood tree will be felled to relocate the building. The building will be of a rectangular pattern.

A. Achyuthan, environmentalist, who had been entrusted with the responsibility of inspecting the spot and suggesting a solution, said discussions could aid conservation.

Unilateral decision

He said unilateral decisions taken during construction activities could threaten the environment. Environmentalists, meanwhile, had not taken a strong stance either. They had stressed the need for sustainable development.

V. Geetha, Principal of the college; Thayat Balan, social activist; T. Shobeendran, (Greenworld); M.D. Johnson, (Darsanam Samskarika Vedi); M.K. Savin, (Greenhope Society); Cyriac Job, National Service Society unit, Medical College, programme coordinator, participated in the discussions. The assistance of the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT-C) would be sought.

Green drive

A concerted greening drive on the MCH, campus launched by the NSS unit in association with the Darsanam Vedi, had expressed keen interest in preserving the trees. Organisations such as the Conservation of Nature Society had protested against the felling of trees. The nature society had urged Health Minister S. Sreemathy to take steps to conserve the green belt around the MCH.

The NSS unit had planted more than 250 saplings were planted on the campus between June 3 and 24. The target is to plant 1,000 trees with the expertise of the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association has provided as many as 100 tree guards for the saplings that have been planted.

State Bank of India and Milma Milk Marketing Federation too are providing tree guards to protect the saplings from cattle.

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