The new initiative of a group of students in Wayanad to create awareness among the public and those residing near forest areas about the importance of protecting wildlife from antisocial elements and wild fire, is drawing the attention of the public.
On wild fires
The Fire Line, a street play is being staged by a group of Std VII students of the Gandhi Memorial Upper Primary School (GMUPS), Anchukunnu, near Mananthavadi, in association with the North Wayanad Forest Division, Mananthavadi.
The one-hour performance is aimed at sensitising the public against wild fire and providing a new vista to the public on wild fire and its effect.
“The wild fire, a major threat to the forest and wildlife, usually breaks out in the forests during summer causing a heavy loss to wildlife every year. The play is aimed at creating awareness among the public on the significance of protecting the forest and wildlife from such wildfires,” said Mr. A. R. Sasikumar, Divisional Forest Officer, North Wayanad Forest Division.
The team comprises 12 children, including six boys and six girls. The play not only reveals the causes, effects and prevention of wild fire but also asks the public to remain vigilant against poaching , especially of endangered wild animals.
Reaching out
“We are planning to perform the play on 18 different stages, especially in the villages adjacent to the forest in the district,” informed Mr. V.C. Dileepkumar, team coordinator. The top officials of the forest divisions in Kannur, Palakkad and Silent Valley saw the play when it had been performed at Mananthavady recently and they invited the troupe to perform the street play in their areas, said Mr. Sasikumar.
All the expenses of the team will be provided for by the North Wayanad Forest Division, he added.
“We feel proud to convey the message to the people that forest is the bounty of nature and it is our duty to protect and nourish it,” feels M. Mani, the leader of the troupe. The script of the play was written by Royson Pilakkavu, a teacher of the GMUP School, and was directed by Jose Kizhakkeyil.
“The street play is being staged only on holidays, so it would not affect the studies of the children,” said Mr. K.D. Sebastian, headmaster of the school.
