Case9-January-2013
Trees and hills play crucial role in protecting environment, ensuring rains, conserving biodiversity and survival of many living organisms. By protecting the wealth in the hills we can ensure safe living in the plains spoke Dr.Muthupandi Associate Professor in Botany, Madurai Kamaraj University.
Speaking on the Tree walk event organized by Madurai Green and DHAN Foundation on 16th Dec, 2012 Dr.Muthupandi added that Madurai city is protected by hills in all directions of which “Nagamalai” has its own specialty. The hill is 1500 feet high at its highest point and runs to a distance of almost four kilometer. It inhabits many wonderful species of plants and trees. However this hill doesn’t have the capacity to store the rainwater. So all the rainwater which fall on the hills gets runoff and reaches the plains besides. We can plan for growing more trees along the foot hills of Nagamalai and extend it later to other areas. Now the hill is full of Neem trees and Prosophis. The people living nearby and also the NGOs can join hands together and grow variety of other trees and plants including those with medicinal values.
Dr.Stephen, Professor of Botany, American college during his inspiring speech said that “Environmental protection and development is not the concern of Non governmental organizations and other institutions alone. Each and every individual has responsibility and stake to protect the environment. Their interest and participation are most important. Now we are living in the era of computers and electronics. We are causing many disturbances to the environment and responsible for its degradation either knowingly or unknowingly. A sense of environmental consciousness and the importance of trees in protecting the environment should be known to all. Spread this awareness among your neighbours, relatives and the society and the event like this will support such activities. It is the responsibility of us to handover a healthy environment to the next generation.
Mr.Bharathi Team Leader, Tourism for Development, DHAN Foundation expressed his happiness over participation of more youth in the ‘Tree walk” program. He added that ‘the younger generation, especially the students from schools and colleges should show interest in environmental protection through tree plantation. When they act together with the guidance and support of the elders and experts in the field, we can create a wonderful environment to live for the future generations’.
Hundreds of people participated in the Tree walk program which started from PanaiyanVilaku, in the west of Nagamalai. Dr. Bathirinarayanan gave the thanks giving address. The event was organized by Mr.Chidambaram, Madurai Green.