Madurai has seen a recent awakening towards environmental issues. In the past few years, the city’s denizens joined hands to desilt water bodies, clean public spaces, plant trees, conduct nature walks and avian trails and many other awareness drives. In all these events, the youth was the driving force, taking up the cause of environment with a vengeance. Young men and women, college and school students gathered at various tanks, forest areas, parks and farms like never before and stood up for the collective objective of creating a nature-friendly society. Some of them worked in association with the District Forestry in both reserve and social forest areas while others independently took up massive tree plantation and cleaning drives.
“Since Madurai is known as a place for history and heritage, there has not been much focus on environment. In comparison to people in big cities, the locals here are less aware,” says Tamil Dasan, a member of Naanal Nanbargal, a youth group that has been working on the issues of water scarcity, maintenance of kanmois , planting of native trees and promoting organic farming. Started two years ago, the group comprises 30 young like-minded individuals from various walks of life and Tamil Dasan says though slow they can see the change happening. “People are gradually getting sensitised,” he notes.
Right from organising birding events and treks to holding discussions and demonstrations on pressing environmental issues in the State, Naanal Nanbargal has done it all. “It is important to have people participation to prevent further damage to environment,” says Khansa Sadiq, with reference to the monthly science debates that the group organises for everyone, from the villager to a city-bred. Having worked on desilting of 10 tanks including Sellur, Vandiyur and Kodikulam, Sadiq says Madurai has easily lost over 100 water bodies to encroachment. “We also conduct regular river walks called ‘ Aarugalai Thedi’ , where we discuss and learn about lesser known rivers and tributaries in the district. Sadly, some rivers like the Krithamal have disappeared and their references can be found only in literature,” he adds.
Boobalhan, a young techie who took up organic farming inspired by Nammazhwar, conducts monthly event ‘Uzhavargalai Thedi’ and has identified 40 organic farmers so far. “We coordinate with them to spread awareness about benefits of going organic and inspire more farmers,” he says. Boobalhan along with his friends in Naanal group cultivate millets organically in their three-acre agriculture farm in Aviyur. A. Ravichandran, Vice President of Arittapatti Panchayat who dreams of developing Arittapatti as a model village, says, “We are the only village in Melur block that stood against granite mining and managed to save water bodies and the biodiversity around from the destruction. Currently, we are working on drawing all the villagers to organic farming.”
‘Mannin Marangal’ is a programme conducted by young naturalist K.Karthik. “These days, exotic ornamental plants have taken over gardens. Native species of trees such as Marutham and Kadambam are becoming rare. It’s vital to promote native plants as they support lots of local insects, birds and animals,” says Karthik.
Vaa Nanbaa Thol Kodu is another forum of young environmentalists who take up weekly cleaning drives in various pockets of the town. With more than 300 members, the group conducts periodical cleaning activities at road medians, Government Hospital, Mattuthavani and Periyar Bus stands, private and public compounds. “We try to involve common public in our works. For instance, we planted 50 neem and Pungai tree saplings at Mattuthavani and roped in the auto and taxi stand members for watering and maintaining the trees,” says Rahman, the president of the forum.
Recently, upon a resident’s request, Vaa Nanbaa members cleaned an empty Plot on Thiruvalluvar 1st Street at Bibikulam. “We worked for a whole day and removed a truck load of garbage from the plot. It’s sad to see it become a habit among people to litter and throw garbage in empty plots and so we plan to clean such plots on a regular basis. We distributed pamphlets highlighting the possible health hazards and hope it would have an impact,” says Saravanan, the secretary.
Maram Madurai, another youth organisation has planted over 5,000 trees in the district. “Initially, we conducted a survey identifying and counting the various native species of trees on the roads inside city limit. We have made it a point to give away Kadamba , neem and Pungai saplings in our tree plantation drives,” says Prashant, who heads the group. “Our future plan is to distribute hand-made paper bags to shops and households in order to reduce plastic usage.”
