National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC)
1. National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) in Partnership with the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India selected CESDI as one of the Partnering Organisations (POs) in the implementation of the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) since 2006. The NEAC launched by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India in 1986, is the flagship campaign of the Ministry. Thirty-four organizations located in different parts of the country have been designated as Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) for assisting the Ministry in conducting and coordinating this Campaign. Several non-governmental organizations, educational and training institutions, professional associations, scientific bodies, community organizations and also a whole range of other agencies participate in the campaign. These bodies singularly or in partnership with other organizations, organize programmes for creating environmental awareness followed by field action at the local, regional and national level. ‘Climate Change’ was the theme for the campaign for the year 2009-10 too.
CESDI is partnering continuously and participated in the campaign for 8 years during 2006 to 2013. The following are the awareness and action activities were carried out under the campaign.
· Awareness Event on Solid Waste Management, April 20, 2007
The first awareness event on the theme ‘solid waste management’ was organized on April 20, 2007 at Kottayam, Kerala. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon, President, CESDI, presided over the meeting. Mr. K.P.Joy, Member Gram Panchayat, Ayarkunnam, Shri Sunny Aaimanom, Shri Skariah K.Y and Shri Suresh G. Nair spoke in the meeting. Mr. Abraham Kurian delivered the keynote addresss. A documentary film was screened during the event. About 280 children attended the event. Motivated through the event, children and parents had taken up the construction of a ‘compost pit’ in the school campus, and the same was completed within two weeks. Children are maintaining the pit now.
· Event on ‘Bio-diversity conservation’, March 29, 2008
A nature trail was organized in Kumarakom on March 29, 2008. The event included a ‘boat journey’ in the backwaters, an awareness event and training in the ‘identification of flora and fauna’, for preparation of a bio-diversity register. A total of 43 youths attended the training. The participants were engaged in the practical training of ‘bio-diversity’ identification. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon delivered the valedictory address and motivated the youngsters to involve in practical action for conserving the bio-diversity. As a result of the training the participants were later engaged in the preparation of a bio-diversity register and setting up a small bio-diversity park.
· Workshop for children on ‘Climate Change’, Feb. 11, 2009
As part of the campaign during the year 2008-09, CESDI organized a workshop for children on ‘Climate Change’ at Mar Thoma Seminary High School (MTSHS), Kottayam on February 11, 2009. 52 students from selected schools attended the workshop. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon, President CESDI delivered the keynote address highlighting various issues leading to climate change. In the technical session, Dr. Thomas George, faculty member at the School of Applied Life Science, MG University made a thematic presentation, which was followed by questions & answers session and group discussions. Dr. G. Sunil conducted an eco-quiz. The media had given wide coverage for the event.
· Seminar on ‘Climate Change’ at UCTE, Ealnthoor on February 9, 2010
As part of the campaign during the year 2009-10, CESDI organized a seminar on ‘Climate Change’ at University Collage of Teachers Education (UCTE) on February 9, 2010. 150 students and teachers attended the seminar. The seminar started with an inaugural session. Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Assembly, Adv. Shivadasan Nair inaugurated the seminar and delivered an address. Various thematic presentations were made, which was followed by questions & answers session and group discussions. In addition, an afforestation programme was organized at Suryanelli on March 27, 2010 involving school children led by Mr. Abraham Kurian as part of the action component under the campaign.
Sustaining Web of Life on Earth: Involving Communities to conserve the Bio-diversity, April 2, 2011
During 2010-11 the theme of the campaign was Sustaining Web of Life on Earth: Involving Communities to conserve the Bio-diversity. On the theme, CESDI organized a seminar the Campus Crusade Hall on April 2, 2011. Famous Environmentalist Dr. Punnan Kurian was the main speaker and made a presentation on the theme. A quiz programme was organized on April 5, 2011. Dr. G. Sunil conducted the quiz. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon (President, CESDI) spoke to the gathering on the theme. Afforestation programme was organized in Suryanelli on April 17, 2011. Mr. Abraham Kurian (Joint Secretary, CESDI) coordinated the seminar and the afforestation programme.
During 2011-12, the national theme for the campaign was ‘Forests for Sustainable Livelihoods’. CESDI’s proposal is titled ‘Involving Communities to conserve the Forests for Sustainable Livelihood’. In connection with the Darsana Book fair in Kottayam at Thirunakkara ground a seminar titled ‘Forests for Sustainable Livelihood’ involving various schools in and around Kottayam to sensitize the participants about the importance of bio-diversity conservation, to remind our cultural practices and knowledge systems that have helped nurture biodiversity and also make children aware of their surroundings and the need for biodiversity. About 150 students and 15 teachers attend the seminar. Shri S. Sivadasan and Fr. Cherian Thazhamon (President, CESDI) spoke to the gathering on the theme. At the end children prepared an action plan for ‘studying the present status of forest cover and also for setting up community forests. A quiz also was conducted on the topic by Dr. G. Sunil. In the valedictory function, Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Oommen Chandy attended as the chief guest and distributed prizes to the winners of the quiz. Mr. Abraham Kurian (Joint Secretary, CESDI) coordinated the seminar and made the introductory remarks. Later the setting up of community forests and afforestation programme with indigenous plants involving ‘Muthuva’ tribal communities was done during last week of February 2012.
NEAC during 2012-13
Awareness Programme
The awareness component of the campaign was organized with two different activities. An interactive awareness session with students was held on November 10, 2012 at Lifetree Training Centre. 49 students, selected from different schools in Kottayam participated in the programme. Dr. G. Sunil from the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Valavoor, Kottayam led the session. Abraham Kurian, Programme Coordinator, CESDI organized the programme.
An awareness study tour was organized on November 17, 2013 to Malayiggippara Forests, near Erattupetta/Poonjar area in Kottayam district of Kerala. The study tour lasted for a day starting at 8.00 am in the morning. The team consisted of 38 persons, majority being students. The mentioned forest is developed by an environmental activist, Devasia in 12-acre area in a span of 40 years. The group learned about various flora and fauna through interaction inside the forest itself. Dr. N. Unnikrishnan, Dr. G. Sunil, Sunil K. George, Devasia and Abraham Kurian.
4.2.2 Action Programme
On December 22, 2012 students planted variety of indigenous plants in the Mattathra Colony under Kottayam Municipal area as part of creating a small patch of forest. The students also interacted with the Municipal Standing Committee Member N.S. Harichandran about allotting a piece of land with the Municipal limit for creation of a forest patch.