Onlookers may have been surprised to see a dozen-odd children in green school uniforms marching up to the local press forum at Naduvannur in Kozhikode district on Saturday evening. They were there to hold a press conference to announce their plan to take up a green cause.
It was Nafiya P.P., school leader, Government Mappila Lower Primary School, Naduvannur, who read out the contents of the press note that dealt in detail with their proposal. The banks of the Ramanpuzha in the village, abundant with mangroves, was a picture of neglect, she said. The mangroves had been destroyed and the riverbanks lie unprotected. Illegal sand extraction, unscientific fishing and clearing of bushes were posing a threat to the ecosystem. There had not been any scientific study on the mangroves in the area either.
Pointing out the necessity of conserving mangroves in view of the devastating floods the State faced recently, she said the nature club, science club, social science club, PTA, among others, wished to take up an initiative for the purpose. “To create awareness about the issue, the teachers and students will conduct a rally from Kizhukkottukadavu to Vengalathkandikadavu. The student will plant mangrove saplings on the banks. A people’s convention involving local environmentalists, and social and political activists, a campaign featuring the uniqueness of the river, screening of documentaries and discussion, release of a booklet, too have been planned,” nature club convener Risvan and secretary Thanveer K. said. Stressing the need for more awareness about the protection of mangroves, the students urged the elders to help them in the venture.
Meanwhile, PTA functionaries and the school authorities said they would submit a project report to the local grama panchayat authorities soon.