March 2019
Newsletters
Ecological Services
Dear Friends,
In this month, we shall discuss the role of Ecological Services that we draw upon freely from our Mother Earth, and in that process what we are leaving behind for our children and grandchildren. This is another important concept that helps to build the framework for sustainable development (SD). All economic models (See. Fig. 1) consider the production and consumption system and the transactions that happen for this purpose, like people work in factories and get paid in terms of wages. However, as the Fig. 3 shows, the entire economic system
Solid Waste Management
Door-to-door awareness campaign:
Two door-to-door awareness campaigns were conducted in the Municipality viz Anna Nagar – Ward no: 13 (21st March) and Gandhi Nagar – Ward no: 13 (25th March). A total of 199 households were sensitized on MSWM through these programmes.
Nava Graha Vanam
Kethu – Darbha Grass
Botanical Name: Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
Tamil Name: Darbhai pullu
Sanskrit Name: Darbha
English Name: Sword Grass
M. Subramanian
Project Officer
C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre
Chennai
Habitat
Perennials. Culms 40-120 cm high, rhizomatous; nodes bearded. Leaves 12-50 x 0.5-1.2 cm, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, base narrowed, mostly basal, glaucous; sheaths overlapping, to 8 cm long; ligule ovate, membranous. Panicles 4-18 cm long, spici-form, cylindrical, white silky hairy. Spike-lets 2.5-4 mm long, lanceolate, similar, pedicelled, enveloped in long silky hairs. Lower glume 2-3 x 1 mm, lanceolate, long-pilose without. Upper glume similar. Lower floret empty. Upper floret bisexual. First lemma 1.5-2 x 1 mm, oblong-lanceolate, hyaline, apex ciliate. Second lemma 1-1.5 x 1 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, hyaline. Palea 0.5-1 mm long, obovate. Stamens 2; anthers c. 3 mm long, orange-yellow. Ovary oblong; stigmas 2-3 mm long. (https://indiabiodiversity.org and http://keralaplants.in).
Landscaping and Beautification
Cleaning the Backyard Garden of DSP Office
On March 9, 2019 we did the Cleaning and planting campaign at DSP office. Several plants have died and there were weeds grown in the entire backyard. We did the cleaning work and planted 35 fresh saplings.
Revival and Renovation of Water Bodies Jhambhavan Teerthams
Mythological Story
We all know that Bear-king “Jambavan” was an obedient servant of Lord Rama, and he fought along with his side against Ravana. Jambavan was very powerful even in his old age. There is a story that he just gave one kickto Ravana and Ravana fainted, such was his strength. In all his life, he never got any strongopponent to fight and this desire of fighting remain unfulfilled. He told this desire to Lord Ram.
Social Capital
Teertha Pooja
On 20th March 2019, on the full moon day occasion local stakeholders conducted Teertha Pooja at Kapi Teertham and Agni Teertham. Volunteers cleaned the Teerthams, drawn the Rangoli and lighted beautiful lamps for Pooja. Then Teertha Namavali was chanted by all the participants. The programme ended by offering flowers and Turmeric to the Teertham. Around 30 Ladies and children’s participated in the programme.
