A 25-member group, comprising students and teachers of schools in Kozhikode district, took part in deliberations on medicinal plants and rare trees as part of ‘Jeevanam’, an environment awareness programme organised by Prithvi Eco Club of Sree Ramakrishna Mission School, in Kozhikode on Saturday .
The eight-year-old club, which has bagged many an award for excellence, is organising ‘Jeevanam’ for the eighth consecutive year, for the benefit of students and teachers from other schools. The programme, organised in association with the Kerala State Science, Technology and Environment Council, was inaugurated by environment scientist R.V.G. Menon. In his keynote address, Dr. Menon stressed the need to reduce energy consumption so as to ensure better living conditions. He also explained ways to increase energy production through non-conventional energy sources.
Botanical researcher and Editor of the magazine Soochimukhi T.P. Padmanabhan spoke about the various plants and trees in the garden at the school in ‘Chedikalodoppam’ (with the plants) and explained their importance in health, culture and environment. The school medicinal garden, which is as old as the club, consists of around 100 medicinal plants and 60 trees planted and taken care of by the members of the club.
As part of ‘Jeevanam’, there was a contest to identify rare species of organisms, in which the team from the Naduvannur Higher Secondary School emerged champions. Ananditha, a student, and Smitha, a teacher from the same school, were adjudged individual champions.
