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Kochi , Feb. 13

THE Kerala Environment Protection Committee and Thampu, a group of indigenous communities, have jointly organised an awareness campaign on the conservation of Mangalavanam, described as the "green lung" of Kochi city.

Inaugurating the campaign, Mr Kallan Pokkudan, whose name is synonymous with mangroves following his campaign for it, demanded that the Government implement the Coastal Regulation Zone norms strictly and take steps to plant mangroves in the coastal belt.

The Government will not take the initiative to create or preserve forests and natural habitats. It is the common man's responsibility to preserve nature, he said.

Local people should be entrusted with the task of cultivating and maintaining a mangrove belt along the coast, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, noted environmentalist, Prof. S. Seetharaman, said that buffer zone of a sanctuary has got equal importance as that of protected area. Saving Mangalavanam from the proposed parking lot of High Court would not be enough, he said.

Meanwhile, around 600 children took out a march to Mangalavanam and took a pledge to put in their efforts for conservation of the area. The march was organised by the Ernakulam Social Service Society.

Earlier, speaking at a separate function, the State Fisheries Minister, Mr Domnic Presentation, said that the Government is considering developing mangroves on many parts of the State's coastal region.

Speaking after inaugurating the ceremony to present the Down To Earth - Joseph C. John Award 2004 for outstanding work on environmental management to Prof. Seetharaman who leads the Association of Environmental Protection, the Minister said that Government would think beyond the laying of foundation for various projects.

The Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi and Friends of the Trees, Kochi chapter had organised the ceremony.

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