Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

A walk for greenery

- Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Students of Good Shepherd Finishing School begin their 'walkathon' at Government Botanical Garden in Udhagamandalam on Friday.

Udhagamandalam: To be seen, go green. To drive home this message among the residents of this hill station and tourists, a ‘walkathon' was organised by students of Good Shepherd Finishing School, in association with the Rotaract Club of the school here on Friday.

Speaking to The Hindu at Government Botanical Garden where the walkathon commenced, Nira, a participant who belongs to London, lamented that though boards in various parts of the town proclaimed that the Nilgiris is a plastics-free district, they were a common sight, particularly in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Awareness should be created about the harm they could cause to the ecology and the people.

Shabby look

Recalling her visit to this vacation destination a few years ago, she regretted that it had changed for the worse and now wore a very shabby look.

The local residents should rise to the occasion and stem the rot, said Uditi of Ranchi.

Kishleen of Coimbatore pointed out that compared to the Nilgiris, Coimbatore is wearing a much cleaner look. “It is the duty of each individual to protect the Nilgiris,” she said.

The Dean of the school, Tulsi Bhatia, said that the students who come from various parts of the world are taught to lead by example and considerable emphasis is laid on inculcating values and developing a love for nature.

The students of the school who accompanied them marched through Charing Cross, Etienne's Road, ATC bus stand, Race Course, Central bus stand, and the Boat House before concluding their campaign at Fernhill.

The participants carried placards bearing nature-friendly messages and distributed eco-friendly bags to make the people dump the habit of using plastic carry bags. The walkathon was flagged off by the secretary, Rotary Club of Nilgiris West, D. Sreedharan.

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