COIMBATORE: A group of students from the Government High School, Idigarai, are busy working on the People's Biodiversity Register.

They devote their time after school, on holidays and vacation to make their entries in the register.

The register is a compilation of their day-to-day observations of the immediate environment.

Details

They record even minute details such as the birds that visit the area, butterflies, the plants and animals and even the climatic variations in a particular region.

These registers are often a wealth of information on the biodiversity of the region.

The students of this Government school, which is located in a village that is far removed from the city have taken special interest in recording their observations meticulously.

They hope that in course of time, they will be able to present it at science conferences hosted by city schools.

They also worked in co-ordination with the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Institute of Science and had collected more than 60 species of butterflies.

They had also observed 32 different species of birds that visited the Thengumarahada region, a Niligirs Biosphere Reserve.

"The location of the school is an advantage for these students who have a special interest in conservation of biodiversity. "The students in schools in the heart of the city may not get such opportunities," says T.Victor Manohar, a teacher at the Government High School.

He also assists the students in their environmental activities.

Talents

However, very few schools in the rural areas that may be doing very well in maintaining biodiversity research might be able to get a proper platform to express their talents.

By involving themselves, children will also develop an interest in conserving the environment and preserving biodiversity, he added.

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