Tamil Nadu - Nagercoil   

“Preserve natural barriers for future generation”

Nagercoil: ‘Sand dunes and mangroves are serving as a barrier in the coastal areas of the State against nature’s fury. It is the bounden duty of the younger generation, particularly students, to spread this message to others with an intention to preserve natural barriers for the benefit of future generation’, said the Director, Department of Environment, K.S. Neelakandan.

Releasing a book on coastal sand dune, written by an environmentalist, G. Santhanakumar on behalf of Human Education and Action for Liberation Movement and presiding over Natural Resource Day observed by National Green Crops on Friday, he said that around 3.50 lakh students belonging to 8,700 schools were being engaged in creating awareness of preserving natural resources. They have already formed eco clubs in an effort to spread the message what they have learnt from others in connection with preserving the precious natural resources.

Laying huge stones and the construction of groins were temporary solutions to prevent sea erosion and minimise other natural calamities. But preservation of natural barriers like sand dunes and mangroves would provide a permanent solution to fishermen community. These barriers would help by preventing the seepage of saline water into coastal villages and maintain the level of underground water table. Hence he appealed the students not to forget ‘4-R mantra’, reduce, recover, re-cycle and re-use, and try to implement it through out their life.

He added that Manakudi estuary was a model in the district, where as various NGOs have raised mangroves and other sapling on the sand dunes to prevent sea erosion and other natural calamity in future. The environmentalists and the residents in coastal areas should come forward to raise mangroves and preserve sand dunes.

Later students from various schools took out a massive awareness procession. The chairperson of District Panchayat, Ajitha Mano Thankaraj, environmentalist, Santhana Kumar, the Chief Education Officer, Mohammed Gani, the District Educational Officer (Nagercoil), Kusumal, Siluvai Vasthiyan of HEAL and others spoke.

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