March 2022

Dear Friends,

This month we shall discuss shipping in the context of the Paris Agreement. As you may recall, emissions from shipping and aviation could not be assigned to a country, and therefore, these were left out, though not completely, of the Paris Agreement. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a global UN specialized agency, set up in 1948. [1] The UNFCCC tasked the IMO to devise ways and means to mitigate emissions from shipping. Beginning 2009, IMO has submitted their reports regularly to UNFCCC [2].

Shipping causes environmental pollution as ships dispose engine room waste, garbage, sewage etc. and emits GHGs. Accidental oil spills add to this problem. The Torrey Canyon accident drew global attention as it spilled 120,000 tonnes of oil in 1967.

Six Source Segregation Demonstration programmes were organized on 8th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 21st and 29th of March at Kattu Pillaiyar Kovil Street (Ward -2), KalavaiStreet (Ward -6), Kondeshwarar Madam (Ward – 9), Bharathi Nagar (Ward – 8), Maravar Street (Ward– 6), MK Nagar (Ward – 10).

Through this progaramme, our Staff and Green friends give awareness to households in each ward on the type of waste, segregation of waste and the importance and benefits of recycling. A live demonstration on Source Segregation was organized to the public.

Ocimum basilicum (L.) commonly known as Sweet basil is one of the most economically important aromatic herbs of the Lamiaceae family. It is considered to have originated in the warmer parts of the Indo-Malayan regions, is abundantly found in tropical and hotter parts of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. It is a medium size herb with strong scent and smooth or velvety touch. Leaves 3-5 cm long, toothed, opposite; simple; entire and ovate. Flowers 8-12 mm long in cluster-like circles of 6-10. The petals are white, pink or purplish. It grows in habitats like wastelands and on hills and due to its ornamental and therapeutic significance it is also grown in houses.

Shri.Saravanan of Thangatchimadam donated 500 Jasmine plants to HR&CE. Green Rameswaram volunteers along with temple workers planted all the 500 Jasmine saplings on 5th March 2022 in the temple premises.

Total Groups 120 – no new groups were formed in the month of March

Total members 1483

This month we concentrated on Cluster formation. Cluster is nothing but a set of 8 – 15 SHGs from same geographical locations. Purposes for promoting cluster association were as follows:

1.Building effective governance
2.Building ownership
3.Promotion of leadership from the community
4.Self regulation for sustainability
5.Identifying and communicating field problems
6.Managing the collaboration with Banks and SHGs

Veera Teertham renovation work started on 9th March 2022 after performing the traditional Bhumi pooja. A few local stakeholders from the village were present. Unfortunately, the nearby land owner was not happy in spite of our explaining to him and went on complaining that the land belongs to him. Subsequently, we took the support of Revenue department for clarifying the matter and convinced him and other villagers. Thus the matter settled amicably.

1. Committee Formation for cleaning Kapi Teertham

A regular cleaning and maintenance of Kapi Teertham is planned by Hindu Paripalana Sabha during their meeting on 31 March 2022.

The Sabha also requested the representative of Green Rameswaram project, Sis.Saraswati to carry out renovation of Bhairava Teertham site and providing proper steps at Bhairava Teertham (Open sea).

2. Deepa Pooja in Nambu Nayaki Temple

A regular Deepa pooja was organized on the occasion of full moon day – 17th March. Six ladies attended the programme.