Some one is not very happy about a barren hill turning into a mango garden. Eight years of hard work put in by the Eagle Nest Society to convert the barren Eravathukunnu in the heart of Kozhikode into the Mango Park that it is today is being tested continuously by anti-social elements who try to burn it down every now and then.
The latest attack was around noon two weeks ago which resulted in the partial destruction of 25 to 30 per cent of the mango trees in the park. The members of the Eagle Nest Society flew in immediately and doused the fire with the help of the Fire and Rescue personnel. “None of the trees have been completely burned, but only the lower branches. So far, we have been able to rescue them through watering”, Baburaj Pathiyeri of the society said.
The thick undergrowth of grass that dries down during the summer months has been the reason for the fire this time, too. Mr. Pathiyeri alleged that somebody had deliberately started the fire. The Mango Park is a haven for drunkards mostly at night, but that this happened during the day, which raises suspicion of deliberate activity, he said.
The Eagle Nest Society is a group of morning walkers who were entrusted by the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation to set up the Mango Park considering their nature-friendly activities. The 250 saplings provided by the Forest Department were planted on a slope of the Eravathukunnu, the highest point in Kozhikode city.
The morning walkers carried water bottles with them to water the saplings initially. Later, the Corporation provided water in tanker lorries. The society members celebrate their birthdays and special occasion amidst the trees they planted and take care of them.
They themselves remove the weeds and other manual labour in the park. Some of the trees have started bearing fruits.
