Ecological education is not possible through conventional methods of education, eminent social scientist and Kerala State Higher Education Council Vice Chairman Rajan Gurukkal has said.
He was presiding over the book launch of Sahyahrudayam , a compilation of poems by poet and activist Sugathakumari on environment, on Monday.
Prof. Gurukkal decried the growing disconnect between mankind and environment. “While those who live in close proximity to nature learn about its significance, those who lead opulent lifestyles with utter disregard for the environment learn lessons only through natural calamities,” he said.
Heavy silence
He said poets and artists were the ones who could speak fearlessly against actions that marred the environment. He also warned against the “silence” maintained by the scientific community over issues that concerned nature. “This is especially true during the last five years even at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. We have several accomplished scientists, who could go to any lengths to obtain funds required to undertake projects. However, there has been a marked change in the mindset of a majority of scientists. Many possess only a mechanical perception of science. There are very few scientists who have a holistic understanding of science and its possible impacts,” Prof. Gurukkal said.
He was also critical of political leaders and administrators who, he said, were difficult to convince of the need to conserve forests. “We live in a time when those who were incapable of expressing pain and angst were not considered to be living beings. The torture meted out to elephants in the State is a prime example,” he said.
Earlier, the book, published by DC Books, was formally launched by eminent Malayalam poet Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri at his residence.
He presented the first copy of the book to poet V. Madhusoodanan Nair. Besides, Ms. Sugathakumari, ornithologist P.K. Uthaman, environmental activist E. Kunhikrishnan,writer Athamaraman, and wildlife photographer Balan Madhavan took part.
