Kerala
National Symposium on Climate Change and Low Carbon Futures
Vellayani- The National Symposium on Climate Change and Low Carbon Futures was organized jointly by the British Council, Chennai, Association of British Scholars (ABS), Thiruvananthapuram and the Kerala Agricultural University.
Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, President, ABS, delivered the welcome speech. He opined that the symposium was intended to address the various issues related to climate change and global warming. He emphasized upon the importance of searching for alternate sources of energy as a measure to reduce fossil fuel burning, the main culprit behind global warming.
Dr. A. K. Sherief, Organizing Secretary briefed about the symposium and the four major themes proposed to be covered – the themes being Climate Change and Food Security, Climate Change and Public Health, Climate Change and Biodivesity and Climate Change and CDM.
In his presidential address, Dr. K. Harikrishnan Nair, Dean, College of Agriculture, Vellayani expressed deep concern over the impact of the changing climate scenario, especially in view of the recent episode of torrential summer showers which spread havoc in Kuttanad and other areas. Climate change is to be considered as the greatest intellectual challenge for the technocrats.
The Symposium was inaugurated by the Shanthi Swarup Bhatnagar award winner, Dr. A. Ajayaghosh, of the National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram. In his inaugural address, solar energy was highlighted as the best, unlimited and alternate source of energy for mankind. He elaborated upon the need for developing energy efficient materials as well as the use of organic electronic gadgets.
The key note address on the science and politics of climate change was delivered by Dr. James Jacob, Director, Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam.
The soft copy of the proceedings of the symposium was released by Dr, Guru Gujral, Head of Science, Environment and Technology, British Council India and Sri Lanka, New Delhi, by handing over a copy to Dr. P. R. Sudhakaran, Executive committee memeber, ABS, Thiruvananthapuram. In his felicitation, Dr. Guru Gujral stressed upon the importance of mitigating the effects of climate change and explained the activities of the British Council towards this end.
Dr. B. R. Reghunath, Professor, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and member, ABS, proposed the vote of thanks.
The theme papers of the four theme areas were presented by Dr. G. S. L. H. V. Prasada Rao, Professor, Kerala Agricultural University, Dr. Y.M. Fazil Marickar, SUT, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. B. Mohan Kumar, Professor, Kerala Agricultural University and Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director, WWF – India, Kerala State Office respectively.
An exhibition on global warming and sustainable development was organized at the venue by the WWF, State unit.
The valedictory function was attended by Dr.K.Prathapan, MD, State Horticultural Misssion, Kerala. Dr.K.HarikrishnanNair in his valedictory address mentioned the importance of hosting a programme like this and congratulated ABS and British council, Chennai for extending their cooperation. Dr.V.Prasannakumar, Secretary, ABS, welcomed the gathering and Sri.Renjan Mathew Varghese proposed the vote of thanks.
About 105 delegates including guest members, scientists and students attended the function .Media coverage in the local dailies including English dailies were give.
Commonwealth Day 2008
Newsletter of KLSO
- Mruthika, Jan - Feb 2008 [pdf, 795 KB]
- Mruthika, Nov - Dec 2007 [pdf, 642 KB]
- Mruthika, Sep - Oct 2007 [pdf, 465 KB]
- Mruthika, July - August 2007 [pdf, 1.99 MB]
- Mruthika May - June 2007 [pdf, 364 KB]
- Mruthika March - April 2007 [pdf, 486 KB]
- January - February 2007 [pdf, 406 KB]
- November - December 2006 [pdf, 401 KB]
Exhibitions were arranged by different groups like WWF – India, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, GREENS (association of nature lovers of employees of Govt. Secretariat), Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department and Health and Sanitation Mission. WWF – India put up the exhibition items such as 24 panel set on ‘Biodiversity of Kerala’, 50 photo set on ‘Mangrove Ecosystem of Kerala’, poster set on ‘Don’t Buy Trouble’ poster set on ‘Climate Change and Energy’, poster set on ‘Mangrove Ecosystem and Need for Conservation’ etc.
World Wetlands Day 2008
Wetlands Festival at Alappuzha
WWF – India, Kerala State jointly with Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE – CERC, Alappuzha) and Kerala State Land Use Board organized the Wetlands Festival on Saturday, 2nd of February at St. Joseph’s Girls High School, Alappuzha as part of World Wetlands Day, 2008. The programme was inaugurated by Shri. P.P. Chitaranjan, Municipal Chairman, Alappuzha in the meeting presided over by Fr. Thomas Peelianickal, Director, Kuttanad Vikasana Samithy. Fr. Peelianickal delivered the Wetlands Day message also. Shri R. Sanal Kumar, Deputy Director, Kerala State Land Use Board delivered the keynote address. Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director, WWF – India, Kerala State Office and Sr. Sophyamma Thomas, Head Mistress, St. Joseph’s GHS gave felicitations. Following the inaugural function, Dr.K.G. Padmakumar, Associate Professor, RARS, Kumarakom gave a talk on ‘Wetland and Biodiversity’ and Shri K.V. Dayal, noted environmentalist talked on the topic ‘People and Wetlands’.The technical sessions were followed by programmes like Puppet Show on the theme of ‘Vembanad Lake’ arranged by the students and faculty of Teachers Training Institute, Alappuzha. A ‘Wetland Quiz’ was also conducted by Mr. Jojo T.D., Program Officer, ATREE CERC. The students had brought pre-prepared posters on Wetland Ecosystem and the same was displayed in the venue, evaluated and prizes given. The posters were really outstanding with great hand drawn pictures and fitting captions. The painting competition was conducted on the theme ‘Wounds inflicted by humans on Vembanad Lake’. A ‘Frog Calling’ competition was also conducted in which there was active participation from the students. Magician Manu Mancompu staged a magic show on the theme of ‘Wetland Pollution’. The special guest for the prize distribution function was Smt. Mariamma Kurien, who is popularly known as ‘Kandal Amma’ because of her efforts towards mangrove conservation and afforestation. The participants, mainly students and teachers from about 40 schools lying in and around the Vembanad lake, numbering to about 400, thoroughly enjoyed the programme.
Other activities like ‘Ask the Expert Desk on Birds and Butterflies’, demonstration of Water Quality Testing Kit, Water Games etc were also arranged. WWF – India also arranged an exhibition of 50 photo panels on the theme of ‘Mangrove Biodiversity and its Conservation’. Mr. A.K. Sivakumar, Education Officer of Kerala State Office also attended the programme.
The afternoon lunch was exclusively wetlands oriented with dishes prepared from wetland resources like Kakk (Clam shell), Konju (Prawn), Karimeen (Etroplus) etc.
National Science Day 2008
National Science Day was observed jointly by WWF-India, Kerala State Office and Energy Management Centre-Kerala (EMC) with One day awareness programme and various competitions. The programme was held at Vanasree Auditorium, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.In the inaugural function, Sri.K.M. Dharesan Unnithan, Director of EMC welcomed the guests and participants. Sri.L.Radhakrishnan IAS, Hon. Secretary to Dept. of Power inaugurated the programme in the function that was presided over by Prof. V.K. Damodaran, Vice Chairperson, EMC. Sri Radhakrishnan in his inaugural address explained on the power situation in the State due to the increasing energy demand from various sectors and detailed out on how at various levels, the students can take small initiatives to conserve energy and thus make a change. He also pointed out that standard of living and quality of living is entirely different, and that we really need to identify our real needs for a sustainable living. There should be a change in our lifestyle to reduce power consumption and there by save natural resources. The non conventional energy source like solar, wind and wave energy should be tapped for our needs. He encouraged the student community to take initiative for energy conservation and to bring out behavioral change towards the same.
Prof. Damodaran expressed his concern to the students on how the rise in sea level may cause the sinking of our State which is lying in the south western end of India. He also encouraged the students to practice ‘Energy Conservation by Saving Energy’ by educating them on the fact that, switching off a single bulb can save nearly 400KW electricity in a single day.
Sri.Renjan Mathew Varghese, Director of WWF-India delivered key note address on the day’s theme ‘Energy Conservation to combat Climate change’. He explained to the students on what actually is ‘Climate Change’ and its local manifestations in the form of temperature changes, sea level rise and melting of glaciers. He also detailed on the impacts of Climate Change on various systems and also technology and policy interventions need to combat this.
The inaugural function concluded with Sri.Sreeiith, Project Officer of WWF-India proposing the vote of thanks.
The awareness session on ‘Domestic Energy Conservation’ was led by Sri.Dharesan Unnithan which was followed by a video show on ‘Climate Change’. The session highlighted the better efficiency equipments, methods of energy conservation etc.
In the afternoon session, Quiz and Painting Competition was conducted on ‘Energy and Climate Change’. Quiz Competition was mastered by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar, Education Officer, WWF-India.
Eight teams from different schools took part in the competition. A Preliminary Round comprising of written answers was conducted in which 3 teams were eliminated. The other 5 teams took part in five rounds of quizzing arranged into various themes like ‘Identify the Personality’, ‘Tell the Year’ etc.
In the evening valedictory function, Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese presented a brief report on the days events. Sri.Jayaprasad, Member Secretary, Kerala State Pollution Control Board was the chief guest for the valedictory session and he distributed the prizes to the winners.
