A 22-day State-wise summer residential camp on Biotechnology and Biodiversity Conservation for Std X students concluded at the Community Agro Biodiversity Centre Auditorium of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Puthurvayal, near Kalpetta on Saturday.
Scientific temper
The programme was organised by the MSSRF, Kalpetta, in association with department of Biotechnology Government of India. The programme was a residential workshop in the broad area of Biotechnology and Biodiversity Conservation with interactive lectures, laboratory work, institutional visits, field trips and individual projects. As many as 30 students from the different parts of the State partook.
“We have conducted the residential camp as a part of nation-wide camp organised by the Biotechnology department aimed to create a scientific temper in the growing mind, directing the young mind to the science career and create a new generation based on nature concern and scientific attitude,” said Smitha S. Nair, programme coordinator. “During the camp hours we provided all the basics of biotechnology to the camp mates,” she added.
“We undertook the programme as an extended part our conceptual programme ‘Every Child a Scientist' throughout the State,” Dr. Anilkumar, Director MSSRF said.
“We got a golden opportunity to know about the biotechnology and bio resources during the camp,” Aswathi Laksmi of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hemambika Nagar, Palakkad said. “All the classes organised here reflected a holistic approach to the science. We had got a direct touch with nature not only through the interactive classes but also through field visits. It also helped us to hone scientific quality skills,” she shared. Raghi Rappai of CKMNSS at Chalkkudy, said that the camp was excellent and it enhanced her vista on biodiversity.
As many as 25 experts including Dr. Narayananunni, head of the Acharya Institute of Biotechnology, Dr. E.J. James, former Director CWRDM, Prof. .E. Kunchikrishnan, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Dr. Sreekumar Chathopadhya of Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, handled the interactive sessions.
Field visits
“The forest trekking on Manikkunnu hills and inside the wildlife sanctuary at Muthanga provided ample opportunities to learn about the differences between the wild life sanctuary and the reserved forest. During the visit to the organic cultivation farms in Wayanad, we understood the importance of man-made ecosystems and took part in a rice harvest with the members of a tribal hamlet at Palukkappu Tharavadat Kambalakkadu,” revealed Jyothish Raj of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Payyannur, Kannur district “The field trips to the mangrove zone at Kadalundi in Kozhikode to study on mangrove vegetation, the trip to the Centre for Water Resources Development at Kunnamangalam and a laboratory visit to the Indian Institute of Spices Research in Kozhikode gave us a new outlook on bio resources,” he added.
The final session on Science of Climate Change was handled by Dr. A. Achuthan, a notable academician and an environmentalist. He also distributed the certificates of participation to the children, while M.V. Sreyamskumar MLA presided.
