July 2021
Read Coverting Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling …..
Dear Friends,
The IPCC report titled ‘Climate Change 2021 released on 9th August said heat waves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent during the 21st century over South Asia
Glacial retreat in the Hindu Kush Himalayas; compounding effects of sea-level rise and intense tropical cyclones leading to flooding; an erratic monsoon; and intense heat stress are likely to impact India in recent years. Most of these impacts are irreversible and hence cannot be remediated even if greenhouse gas emissions decline dramatically, the IPCC said.
Many scientists and environmentalists while writing on this report are rightly saying that the past assessments have been disregarded as sensationalist. However, this time warning is against the folly of a business-as-usual development model. Green Rameswaram project right from its inception is suggesting “Green Resilient Rameswaram”, keeping the people and nature at the center of development.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Dr.Sanjay Banerji in his blog continues to write on the role of Nature as Stakeholder in the development paradigm
- Shri.Rangarajan, Chennai covers a few extracts from the rare book – ‘Dhevaiula’ on Ramanathaswami
- Regular Solid waste management work by – Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services, Chennai
- Dr.A.Abirami, Programme Officer of C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center writes about the herbal plant – Karpooravalli
- Landscaping and Beautification – Tree plantation at VAO Office, Mandapam Panchayat by Green Rameswaram team
- “Community Yoga Protocol to Promote Innate Immunity” under Green Health
- “Livelihood Opportunities” covers Pasumai group’s activities
- Green transport covers starting of E-Rickshaws again at Rameswaram
- Bhoomi pooja for Revival and Renovation of Parameswara Teertham
- In Social capital our service to the community during the 2nd wave of the pandemic, Deepa pooja, Guru poornima celebrations and regular webinars. Finally ‘Green Rameswaram newsletter’ by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.
With best wishes,
Editorial Team
Green Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram – 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 – 222296(office)
E-mail: greenrameswaram@gmail.com
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
Newsletters
Nature as Stakeholder – II
Dear Friends,
Last month, I introduced the idea of considering Nature as a stakeholder. This month, I plan to discuss the idea further, with some support from other thought leaders.
First, I would like to draw upon , the founder of World Economic Forum.
A Rare book – Dhevaiula on Ramanathaswami
Cheramaan Peruman Nayanar had composed his meritorious work “Adhi Yula” on Lord Siva. We are attempting to compose “Dhevaiyula” on the Lord of Rameswaram, Sri Ramanatha Swamy. Before that, I pray to the pot-bellied, Lord Ganapathi, the son of Lord Siva to help me in the completion of this work.
Solid Waste Management
Door-to-Door Collection and Garbage Segregation
Irrespective of the pandemic scenario, the green friends continued to serve the community and ensured cleanliness of Municipality. Door-to-Door waste collection and segregation along with street cleaning was carried out uninterruptedly.
Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam) Karpooravalli
Distribution and Habitat
Coleus ambonicus Lour is a dicotyledonous herbal plant of the Lamiacea family. The plant is distributed throughout India. The plant is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. It is known to grow in rocky, loamy or sandy soil. C. ambonicus is a perennial herb with a life cycle of 3 – 10 years, fleshy and highly aromatic. It has a tendency to climb or creep, and can reach up to 1 m tall. Leaves simple, thick and fleshy, light green with opposite leaf arrangement (2.5 – 3 cm long, 2.5 – 3 cm wide). Leaves are broadly ovate or triangular in shape. Stems are tomentose (densely covered with short, soft hairs). 10 – 20 flowers are arranged in a verticil inflorescence (10 – 20 cm long). Flower has bell shaped calyx. Fruits are smooth nut lets, pale brown in colour.
Landscaping and Beautification
On 23 July 2021 Ms.Ilavarasi, Executive Officer, Mandapam Panchayat Union and on 24 July 2021, 12 Children together Planted 40 saplings near the VAO Office, Mandapam Panchayat to invoke the natures spirit around the Government office. SWM team of Mandapam Panchayat Union supported in this exercise.
Green Health
Community Yoga protocol updates
Community yoga protocol project which was implemented at Rameswaram concluded on 31st July. 18 people including 15, above the age of 60 participated online. Following are the results of the midline tests conducted by us.
• 13 People are having Good immunity
• 2 people are having moderate immunity
• 8 people are having good mobility
• 7 people are having moderate mobility
None of the participants are in red zone. In the end line report, further improvement is expected.
“Livelihood Opportunities”
We started the revival of pasumai groups in the month of March 2021 and by April 14 we could promote 46 groups and since then there is a lock down. During second lockdown, our associates concentrated on:
i. Awareness Generation about Covid
ii. Awareness Generation about Vaccination
iii. Distribution of 600 masks to our Group members
iv. Distribution of Kapasura Kudineer everyday in one of our working area
Thus we remained in touch with the community. As the lockdown is partially lifted, we started our regular activities.
• Conducted meetings of 24 groups (balance 22)
• Formed 26 new groups (thus the total number of groups 46 + 26 = 72)
