Darsanam Samskarika Vedi in Kozhikode has launched a 15-day campaign to protect sacred groves in the district with the help of the Department of Climate Change, government of Kerala, and the Malabar Botanical Garden.
The campaign started with the distribution of different types of tree and creeper saplings and planting them on the Sree Karumakam sacred grove premises at Kalandithazham on Sunday.
Noted environmentalist and sacred grove protection expert committee member T. Shobhindran inaugurated the programme.
On Monday, there will be a painting competition for kindergarten, LP, UP, high school, and higher secondary school students at the Government Basic Training School, Mananchira.
Cash prizes will be given to winners in all categories. The paintings will be exhibited at M.N. Sathyarthi Hall of Darsanam library in Kalandithazham from December 30 to January 4.
Poster expoA travelling poster exhibition will be held from December 24 to 29 with the help of various residents’ associations. The campaign will conclude on January 5 with a seminar on the need to protect sacred groves, ponds, and biodiversity. Scientist Emeritus at Malabar Botanical Garden P.V. Madhusoodanan, N.C. Induchoodan from Attappady Hill Area Development Society (AHADS), and Sathyan Meppayur from Malabar Natural History Society will take part in the seminar to be held at the Darsanam library hall.
P.P. Sathyadev and Ananditha S.S. from Naduvannur Higher Secondary School will make a PowerPoint presentation on the theme.
The prizes for the winners of the painting competition will be distributed on the occasion.
Along with the campaign, the Vedi is planning extensive planting of trees and creeper saplings in the Sree Karumakan Kavu and Kavillathu Thazham Ayyappan Kavu. The saplings will be resourced from the Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi and the Malabar Botanical Garden.