Newsletter - October 2024
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
Salim Ali (12 November 1896 – 20 June 1987) was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India.
Rameshwaram is best known for its beautiful beaches and temples. But many do not know that Rameshwaram is home to a thriving water bird sanctuary, making it a must-visit place for bird lovers.
The Water Bird Sanctuary is located on Rameshwaram Island and on the way to Dhanushkodi. The sanctuary covers an area of over 2 square kilometers and is home to a diverse range of bird species. Some of the most common birds in the sanctuary includes spot-billed pelican, painted stork, and Asian openbill stork. These birds are known to migrate to the area during winter, making it the perfect time to visit the sanctuary.
This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:
- Shri.Rangarajan continues to translate a couple of shlokas from the rare book on Ramanathaswami Temple
- Usual work carried out by Hand in Hand Inclusive Development Services in “Solid waste management”
- Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Coriander (Dhanyak)
- In Landscaping and Beautification, we covered the establishment of Nandavanam - Sacred Groves in Sri Ramanathaswamy temple
- In Maintenance of Traditional water bodies covers – Teertha Pooja, Shramadanam and Awareness programme
- In Livelihood - Eco-tourism, AI and Tailoring classes etc.
- In Social capital – Green Rameswaram Varga, Webinars and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.
With best wishes,
Green Rameswaram Project
Mahabeer Dharmasala
Rameswaram - 623526
Tamilnadu.
Ph: 04573 - 299496(office)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.greenrameswaram.org
A Rare book - Dhevaiula
on Ramanathaswami
This classical work on Sri Ramanatha Swami of Rameswaram was composed by “Palapattadai Chokkanatha Pillai”. This work was discovered by Sri U.Ve.Saminatha Iyer after comparing multiple versions. He also wrote a commentary on this rare text. He is affectionately called Tamil Thatha (literally, "Tamil grandfather")
Solid Waste Management
Door to Door Waste Collection and Segregation Programmes:
On regular basis the door-to-door waste collection and source segregation along with street cleaning are being implemented by the SWM project team in Rameswaram project location. The project team educates and regularly creates awareness to all the households’ in order to ensure source segregation.
Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam)
Coriander
Distribution and Habitat:
Coriandrum sativum (L.) which is commonly known as dhaniya belongs to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). The plant is mainly cultivated through its seeds. When used freshly it is called cilantro and when dried it is used as a spice i.e., coriander. Coriander is a small aromatic annual herb, indigenous to the Mediterranean region of the world.
It is mainly cultivated in tropical regions. India is the major coriander producing country in the world. It is primarily cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. Plant – annual; stem erect; reaches up to 20-120 cm height; leaves – bright green, fan shaped and become more feathery towards the top of the plant. It starts flowering after 45-60 days after sowing. Flowers in little umbels, white or light pink, asymmetrical with petals pointing away from the centre. Seeds ovate globular dry schizocarp with two mericarps.
Social Capital
Green Rameswaram Trust
Green Rameswaram Varga
To create volunteers, we have started a new initiative of conducting Green Rameswaram Varga (class). Details for the month of October are as follows:
Landscaping and Beautification
Green Rameswaram Trust
Establishment of Nandavanam Sacred Groves in Sri Ramanathaswamy temple
National Botanical Research Institute from Lucknow has approached us to establish flower parks in temples and public places. Hence we showed them Sri Ramanathaswamy temple, Sri Parvathavarthini Amman Girls Higher Secondary school as well as Kendriya Vidyalaya Mandapam. They agreed with the choice. We have followed up with the concerned authorities and obtained approvals to this effect and the work commenced in Sri Ramanathaswamy temple on 26 October 2024 and completed by 29 October 2024. Dr.N.Kalaiselvi, Director General, NBRI, Lucknow inaugurated the flower park on 30 October 2024 and gave awareness to NSS Students of Sri Parvathavarthini Amman Girls Higher Secondary school.
Maintenance of Renovated Traditional Water Bodies
Green Rameswaram Trust
Teertha Pooja
Our work of involving community in doing Teertha poojas is going on smoothly. Locals are trying to take the ownership of the programme with the help of SHG Coordinators and Yoga students. In this month, we could perform Teertha poojas at 37 Traditional water bodies with 372 volunteers participating in the activity. The details are given below.
Livelihood Opportunities
Green Rameswaram Trust
AI Classes
In the month of October Artificial Intelligence Class was conducted on 3 Sundays. Average attendance is 4 people
