With the aim of bringing down the school dropout level among Adivasi children living in the colonies coming under the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Idukki district, the Forest Department has come out with a project to promote book reading among the tribal populations there.
The target group is the youngsters among the population. Assistant Wildlife Warden of the sanctuary, who promoted the idea, told The Hindu that the dropout level among those living in the sanctuary was very high and that general reading remained almost nil.
There are several Adivasi colonies deep inside the sanctuary with a strong population of youngsters. But so far only one among them had succeeded in making it to the government service through the State Public Service Commission.
This prompted the sanctuary authorities to start a PSC coaching class for Adivasis there having minimum qualifications to earn a government job through the PSC. It was that project posted on the Facebook account of Mr. Prabhu which kindled the library idea for the Adivasis among an NGO group in Kochi.
Members of the Cochin Adventure Foundation (CAF) soon contacted the sanctuary authorities with the idea and it was warmly welcomed by G. Prasad, Wildlife Warden of the Eravikulam National Park (ENP). The Chinnar sanctuary falls under the jurisdiction of the ENP.
The CAF volunteered to donate 5,000 books. A total of 1,500 books have already been given and with that a pilot library under the project is already open for reading near the Chinnar check-post point by renovating a shed that was lying idle.
The books are now going to be taken deep into the wild.
The colonies identified for it are Chambakad, Alampetti, Echampetti, Ollavayal, Puthukudi, Vellakalkudi, Mangaparakudi, Olikudi, Thayanalkudi and Erunatakudi. Mr. Prabhu said that by prompting Adivasi children to remain in touch with reading, it is expected that they will remain connected with school books too.
The libraries will largely comprise books that interest children. Mr. Prasad and Mr. Prabhu have now requested others too to donate to the cause by contributing books for these libraries. Mr. Prabhu can be contacted on phone number – 8547603220.
