2025

August 2025, Vol.10; No.06

The Government of Tamil Nadu has selected Rajapalayam and Rameswaram to be developed as carbon-neutral hubs.Carbon neutrality means achieving a balance where the amount of carbon emissions produced is equal to the amount absorbed from the atmosphere, resulting in a net-zero carbon footprint. This is achieved by:

• Reducing direct emissions through measures such as energy efficiency and adoption of renewable energy.
• Offsetting residual emissions by investing in projects like tree plantation and other initiatives that remove an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

We are confident that this initiative will play a significant role in creating a “Green and Resilient Rameswaram.”

• Archaeology & History: Coverage of the Pasumai Mahalir SHG meeting and the online Palsuvai Nigaltchi.
• Green Health: Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer, C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai, shares insights on the herbal plant Pomelo (Karuna).
• Livelihood: Training programmes conducted to enhance skills and opportunities.
• Landscaping & Beautification: Tree plantation drives and distribution of saplings to schools.
• Revival & Renovation of Teerthas: Cleaning activities, Teertha Poojas at multiple sites, and the grand Maha Teertha Pooja at Krishna Teertham.
• Social Capital:Celebrations of Independence Day, school competitions, formation of Anandalayas, and finally the students’ newsletter—“by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.”

July 2025, Vol.10; No.05

On 5th August, we got a message from Uttarakhand. An old lady on a facebook presents it in the most eloquently “Respect the mountains. We are guests here. Himalayas are not to be conquered but are to be care for. Don’t treat our mountains as a week end escape, treat them like a temple, with care, humility and responsibility. In cloud burst, we lost life, homes, peace of mind but worst of all we lost the silence of the Hills” Click here to watch video.

Unfortunately, this is the story everywhere, including in the temple town of Rameswaram. We often neglect basic civic sense, and even after working for more than a decade, we feel the town is neither truly Green nor Clean. Still, we continue our efforts patiently—like Rama’s little squirrel—doing our part in hope and dedication.

• Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Lychee (Lichika).
• In Livelihood we have covered the training programmes.
• In Green health, we covered Mass free medical camp.
• Under Revival and Renovation of Teerthas, we covered Teertha cleaning and Poojas at several places.
• In Social capital, Guru Pournima celebrations, Pasumai Mahalir Self-Help Group meeting, Palsuvai Nigalchi, Formation of Anandalaya, Rotary club’s contribution and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

June 2025, Vol.10; No.04

On the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June), we are sharing a powerful and thought-provoking video that reflects the alarming reality of rising pollution levels. In this short reel, people are seen wearing oxygen masks — not due to war or disaster — but because we ignored the signs.

This is not science fiction. This is the future we are creating unless we act now.

• Shri.Rangarajan continues to translate a couple of shlokas from the rare book on Ramanathaswami Temple
• Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Monkey Jack (Lakuch)
• In Livelihood we have covered the training programmes
• In Landscaping and Beautification, we have covered a Mass cleaning campaigns
• Under Revival and Renovation of Teerthas, we covered Poojas at several places
• In Social capital, World Environment day celebration, Tree plantation, Cleaning of Traditional water bodies, Teertha Mitra’s meeting, and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

May 2025, Vol.10; No.03

5th June is celebrated all over the world as “World Environment Day”. This year the slogan was “Beat Plastic Pollution”, focusing on eliminating plastic pollution globally. This theme highlights the pervasive nature of plastic waste and its impact on our planet, from oceans to food and our own bodies. Green Rameswaram project team took the survey of plastic pollution in Rameswaram Island in the year 2023 and understood the serious nature of the problem. Unfortunately, people are not still serious about the issues and in the process not only human beings but also marine life is suffering.

 

• • Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Clearing Nut (Kataka)
  • In Livelihood we have covered the training programmes and  Eco-tourism
  • In Landscaping and Beautification, we have covered a Mass cleaning camp
  • In Revival and Renovation – Regular Teertha Poojas
  • In Social capital, Leadership camp, Personality development camp for children and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

April 2025, Vol.10; No.02

22nd April is celebrated all over the world as “Earth Day”. This year the theme was “Our Power, Our Planet”. This theme emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals, organizations, and governments to transition to renewable energy and create a sustainable future. It highlights the need for a global effort to protect the environment and address climate change. The project – Green Resilient Rameswaram which started in the year 2014 also follows the same principle of collective responsibility of the local stakeholders, institutions and line departments of the district administration.

Incidentally, Govt. of Tamil Nadu is planning to make Rameswaram a carbon-neutral hub. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices in the city, including waste management, low-emission transportation, and afforestation.

• Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Wild Karanda (Karamarada)
• In Livelihood we have covered the training programmes and Eco-tourism
• In Revival and Renovation – Regular Teertha Poojas
• In Social capital, Spoken English classes, Personality development camp for children and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

March 2025, Vol.10; No.01

World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the  sustainable management  of freshwater resources. The theme of World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. Glaciers are critical to life – their melt-water is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. As far as Green Rameswaram project is concerned, Water management is our flagship programme since its inception in the year 2013. In the last decade, we have Revived and Renovated 52 water bodies in Rameswaram Island.

This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:

• Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Bitter gourd
• In Livelihood – Registration for Livelihood project  and  Eco-tourism
• Revival and Renovation of Chidambara Teertham and Regular Teertha Poojas
• In Social capital, Remembrance Day of Shri.Hegdeji, Palsuvai Nigalchi, Webinar and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram

February 2025, Vol.9; No.12

World Wetlands Day, observed every year on February 2, aims to increase global awareness of the essential role wetlands play in fostering biodiversity, human well-being, and cultural heritage. The theme for 2025, ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future’.

Rameswaram Island has tidal wetlands, backwaters, and marshlands. We as a part of Green Rameswaram project are trying to protect these wetlands. Unfortunately, the aqua culture farms are spoiling the wetland (Tharvai) eco-system in Rameswaram.

This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:

• Shri.Rangarajan continues to translate a couple of shlokas from the rare book on Ramanathaswamy Temple
• Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Ginger (Inji)
• In Livelihood – Registration for Livelihood project and Eco-tourism
• Revival and Renovation of Teppakulam Teertham and Regular Teertha Poojas
• In Social capital SHG meeting, Anna pooja, Palsuvai Nigalchi, and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.

January 2025, Vol.9; No.11

National Bird Day is celebrated on January 5th each year to raise awareness about the importance of birds and their conservation.

The Water Bird Sanctuary in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu is a popular destination for bird watchers. It’s home to many species of water birds and other wildlife. Thousands of Migratory Australian Flamingos Arrive In Rameswaram every year

This month’s newsletter has the following highlights:

• Dr. A.Abirami, Programme Officer of the C.P.R. Environmental Educational Center, Chennai writes on the herbal plant – Turmeric (Manjal)
• In Landscaping and Beautification – Creation of flori parks at Rameswaram with the help of “National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow
• In Livelihood – Registration for Livelihood project, Eco-tourism and Tailoring classes
• Regular Teertha Poojas and Awareness programme
• In Livelihood – Eco-tourism and Tailoring classes
• In Social capital – Village level competitions, Traditional Games, Students competitions, Green Rameswaram Foundation day celebration, Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, Palsuvai Nigalchi, and finally newsletter by the students and for the students of Rameswaram.