555km-long cycle journey to save coastal areas

Thiruvananthapuram: Dannie David and Hashir Ahmed who completed their cycle journey from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram through the coastal areas of Kerala to create awareness about coastal protection received a warm welcome on Saturday when they reached Shangumugham. The journey which covered 555km was aimed at evaluating the present condition of coastal areas and to create awareness among the residents about the importance of sustainable lifestyle. The climate action awareness campaign named ‘Pedalling for Planet’ was organized by the Change Can Change Climate Change (C5) as part of World Environmental Day activities.
The ride which started from Bekal beach in Kasaragod on June 1 reached Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram via Maidanapally, Muzhappilangad, Kothi, Ponnani, Chavakkad, Vadanappally, Chellanam, Ottamassery and Alappad.
“I joined C5 three years ago with the motive of social engineering, to be a part of retrieving the old charm of our nature. Although we had to undergo dehydration and ride through miserable roads, the journey has given us a detailed view of how the coastal people are trying to push their life forward each day. We are exploiting nature knowingly or unknowingly through carbon emission. Although it is not possible to use cycles all the time, we can start trying to use cycles and reduce the amount of carbon emission to find a solution for the issue to an extent,” said Dannie David, one of the riders.
Although coastal areas have relatively low emissions of greenhouse gases, these areas are the ones which suffer the most. Considering that, a report will be submitted to the directorate of environment and climate change on the basis of the suggestions and grievances of the coastal people, he said. According to the organization, the report and further remedial solutions will help in controlling the coastal erosion to an extent.