Connecting children with nature

World Environment Day was celebrated across the country and continents yesterday (June 5). NGOs, educational institutions and government bodies come together on this one day to prepare banners or other forms of advertisements to create awareness' about the state of the world. In the midst of all this, here is D.M. Prabhuswamy from the city, who is doing his bit to sensitise people about the steady loss in the country’s biodiversity.
Prabhuswamy has done his M.Sc in zoology, and working as a Second Division Assistant in the court of Principal Senior Civil Judge and C.J.M at Mysore.
In a tête-à-tête with SOM, this nature lover spoke thus:
The landmark report of Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change headed by R.K Pachauri revealed that the average global surface temperature will rise between 1.4 degrees and 5.8 degrees Celsius by the end on this century.
"Mark Lynas, in his book Six degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet revealed that six degrees increase would eliminate most of the life on earth including much of humanity.
That was the turning point. I, with some friends, have initiated a Green Village Panchayat Movement in my native place in Dugganahalli Malavalli taluk, Mandya based on the concept of A local solution to a global problem.
We began by planting indigenous saplings in our land. Our commitment is to plant more saplings in our land first.
Everyone should initiate a green movement at the place of their residence, place of work or any other convenient place; it may be Green Street movement, Green Campus movement, Green Mohalla movement, Green City movement or even Green Window Sill movement to fight global warming and to protect biodiversity.
We have distributed booklets among High School children of Dugganahalli Gram Panchayat area for assessing the saplings planted and trees cut down in their land for the year 2010.
A green library has also been opened in Dugganahalli where newspapers and magazines related to environment are kept to help students develop knowledge and create awareness.
We encourage people, especially children to plant more saplings in their land, particularly plantation trees. We are planning to form self help groups to raise saplings in farmer’s land by working on the Gandhian concept of ‘Now or Never’ and ‘Do or Die’. We also encourage farmers to harvest rain water, recharge ground water and to promote use of renewable energy. In future days, we are opening a nursery to supply saplings to people of our Gram Panchayat. The Vision Document 2025 has been prepared and set to implementation in collaboration with local bodies.
"First, the children should be taught about the benefits of planting tree. Later, they should be taught to dig the earth and plant a sapling. As they dig they come across variety of soils, rocks and insects which the children will examine, discuss and discover. They should be taught about preserving and caring for plants". Prabhuswamy can be contacted on Mob: 9886365350.
Aims of the project
• Minimum 50% land of farmers should be covered with trees, particularly plantation trees that are indigenous.
• Solid waste management system should be implemented.
• Total literacy should be achieved involving students of Gram Panchayat areas.
• Rain water harvesting should be promoted in the land of farmers.
• Create awareness among masses to minimise carbon foot print and to lead eco-friendly life.
• Renewable energy sources like solar energy and wind energy must be utilised for energy needs of a village.
• Bio-gas plants should be installed in every house or community in Gram Panchayat areas.