Summer seems to become a lot harsher with each passing year.
The reasons are not complex scientific and climatic factors, but are right in front of everyone’s eyes in daily day occurrences such as cutting trees, burning the garbage and ever-increasing pollution from a variety of petrol-guzzling vehicles.
A bit of care and concern towards Mother Nature, say the members of Siruthuli, an NGO based in the city that works to rejuvenate the water sources, will go a long way in solving some of these pressing issues.
Towards this objective, the organisation is utilising its seventh annual ‘Nurture Nature’ summer camp to provide a holistic exposure to environmental issues to children so that they can think of a set of eco-friendly solutions that can create a greener neighbourhood.
A total of 100 students from various schools across south India are taking part in the six-day camp this year.
The camp was flagged off on Monday near ‘Pachai Nayagi’ – the tree planted by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2005 to initiate the green mission of Siruthuli.
Siruthuli Managing Trustee Vanitha Mohan urged the gathering of students, teachers, parents and volunteers to learn to revere and enjoy nature.
According to Camp coordinator Uma K. Rao, the camp is fashioned to imbibe environmental awareness and eco-friendly culture amongst the student community.
It intends to create a cycle for nature conservation through children-parents-public.
A. Subburaj, Scientist, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), explained the amount of water that can be saved each monsoon by installing proper rainwater harvesting structures.
If 100 litres of water were to be recharged to the water aquifers, he calculates that at least 150 litres could be generated back from them. Students were also educated on the benefits of alternate energy systems.
P. Jeganath from Nature Conservation Foundation conducted a session on various types of birds that are locally seen and how to identify each one of them.
The students were taken around Valankulam and they watched many species of birds such as Spot Billed Duck, Little Grebe, Coot, Pond Heron, Common Maina, House Crow, Purple Heron and Cattle Egret. They were also given a hands-on training on raising a sapling from seed at Siruthuli’s Tree Park.
