Trees on the campus of Central High School, Attakulangara, in the capital city got a fresh lease of life with the district administration reaching an understanding with ‘Tree Walk,’ an eco-group that has been campaigning for preservation of the tree cover on the campus, on the fate of the trees. As per the understanding the trees will only be pruned, and not felled.
District Collector Biju Prabhakar and Sub-Collector S. Karthikeyan assured the ‘Tree Walk’ volunteers and the group of citizens trying to protect the school that the trees would not be cut. The ongoing ‘Operation Anantha’ to clear the storm-water drains in the East Fort area had its impact on the school campus. Demolition work on the drains had left the trees with dangerously exposed roots, causing alarm among the school protection activists.
Visiting the school on Monday morning, Mr. Karthikeyan assured them that only branches spread over the school building would be pruned. “Those branches spread over the roof of the school buildings alone will be chopped, taking safety concerns into account. The drains demolished as part of the operation have been rebuilt and the compound wall protecting the girls’ toilet will be reconstructed before the school reopens,” he said.
Pathetic condition
‘Tree Walk’ coordinator Anitha S. said the school would have 50 additional students from this academic year. The facilities at the school should improve if the children were to have an environment conducive to learning.
The condition of the girls’ toilets was pathetic, she said and hoped that the authorities would wake up to the needs of the school without any further delay.
“Being a school with most of its students from BPL families, we function solely on sponsorships and alumni funds. A private agency has come up with an offer to reconstruct the girls’ toilets. Hopefully, that should help,” said Vipin, a teacher at the school.
Anagha Jayan
