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| Sobheendran, Green World, Vengeri, Kozhikode |
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Vengeri village in Kozhikode is better known among its people as Green World village, thanks to the environmental activism by the NGO ‘Green World’ there for the past 4 years.
Earlier the people of the village used to see a bearded professor of Guruvayoorappan College in green overalls with a green cap, carrying saplings in his hands. And frankly, the people thought that the professor, Sobheendran, was in need of some treatment. He first tried to create awareness among the people about uncontrolled sand mining in the Poonoor river, but met with indifference from the public. Unperturbed, he began to plant many saplings on the banks of the river, knowing well the need to maintain balance of nature along the river.
Once people experienced the pitfalls of sand mining, they understood the significance of his work. More people joined his Green World movement and they set to work on improving the environmental index of the village.
Based on an NSS camp by students of Providence College, Kozhikode, the complete plastic waste in the village was removed. Steps were also taken to ensure that future mingling of plastic in the soil be prevented. Last year, by joining hands with the Forest Department, the Green World was able to supply 1 lakh saplings for planting in Kozhikode district. In front of most of the houses in Vengeri, one can see small nurseries.
Other ventures of the organization are construction of check dams for water conservation, encouraging organic farming, providing assistance in vegetable cultivation at home etc. And in order to endear the new generation to the river in their neighbourhood, the organization is arranging swimming classes in the river. After attending these training sessions, the children and youth have a better appreciation of the river and thus turn out to be its protectors.
The river bank is now a social meeting place of the village, where the people hold the family get-together of the village.
Courtesy: Prakash Mathew, Malayala Manorama, January 2, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
