Kerala   

Students’ mission to revive the Suvarna river

KASARAGOD: A group of students of the science club of Mangalpadi Government Higher Secondary School have embarked on a mission to revive Suvarna river which was one of the main rivers in the northern district but disappeared from official records.

Gurumurthi, writer and a resident of Mangalpadi panchayat, notes that Suvarna river which originates from Posadigumbe in Paivaligae panchayat and merges with the sea at Bekkur bar in Mangalpadi panchayat is around 20 km long and fits into the definition of river by all standards fixed by the government. The river still has enough water flow though it has dwindled compared to the previous years.

The aim of the students is to collect the details of the river and chart a map of its flow to restore its lost glory. The students are being helped by teachers and elders who live on the banks of the river.

A survey conducted by the students found that the river had a breadth of around 50 m in some areas in the past. But denudation and deposition of soil had decreased its breadth and depth.

They found that the water of the river was still being used in some parts for drinking. At the same time, hotels, shops and abattoirs were dumping their wastes into the river in several areas. Large quantities of solid wastes were being dumped into the river daily at Mangalpadi bridge.

The students have launched an awareness campaign against pollution of the river in the area.

The group of students who are collecting information on the river and preparing its map include K.G. Sanal Shah, K. Laxmikanth, and M.A. Shini, and their teacher Gopalakrishna Sastri.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Missing victims of mob violence found
Of political intrigues Film Review
Clampdown on helmetless riders
Vayali to Japan
No surprises
Love flows, like water
One State, one Minister
Teaching children to love learning
Consumed by change
Stage set for In Flore
T.V. Chandran’s new film
peoplespeak
Rare opportunity
Gathering of youth
Crossing swords
Students’ mission to revive the Suvarna river
Six lorries seized in city
Kasaragod bus strike called off
Telephone adalat
Passports issued in 45 days
A rare treat
Set to grow
Getting all misty eyed
Beyond the reach
Different campaign

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu