August 2026
Read Covering Letter – Rama’s squirrel calling
Dear Friends,
Namaskaram.
A million words would not be enough to capture the emotion conveyed by this photograph from Nepal—a two-and-a-half-year-old sister being comforted by her four-year-old brother. It is perhaps one of the most poignant and divine images of our time, silently reminding us of the human cost of environmental disasters. Nepal’s Prime Minister, Mahendra Shah, rightly called for “climate justice” from the international community, pointing out that Nepal is among the victims of global warming and carbon emissions generated largely by industrialised nations. Nepal’s carbon footprint is just one, compared with 14 for the USA.
At Rameswaram, we began addressing the challenges of global warming more than a decade ago. It is heartening that the Government of Tamil Nadu has now taken steps to decarbonise Rameswaram. We hope that these initiatives, together with the efforts of the people and organisations working on the ground, will help transform Rameswaram into a carbon-negative pilgrimage island in the years to come.
This month’s newsletter highlights the following:
- Archaeology and Heritage: Online Palsuvai Nigaltchi programme.
- Green Health: An informative article on the nutritional benefits of Browntop millet (Kattu Varagu) by Dr. A. Abirami, Programme Officer, C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre.
- Livelihood: Reports on the training programme on livelihood.
- Landscaping and Beautification: Plantation of flower plants
- Revival and Renovation of Teerthams: Maha Teertha pooja along with updates on the regular Teertha pooja activities.
- Social Capital: Highlights of Teertha Mitra meeting, Anandalaya teachers meeting along with the report of Anandalayas, School competitions, Celebration of Independence day and a newsletter prepared by students from Rameswaram.
With best wishes,
Editorial Team
Green Rameswaram Project
Railway Feeder Road, Opp. To Hotel Vinayaka
Rameswaram – 623526
Ph: 04573 – 299496(office)
E-mail: greenrameswaram@gmail.com
Web: www.vknardep.org; www.greenrameswaram.org & www.vasudhaindia.in
Newsletters
Archaeology and History
Palsuvai Nigaltchi
August 2026, an online Palsuvai Nigaltchi was organized through Google Meet, and 4 sessions were conducted.
Green Health
by Dr. A. Abirami C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai
Distribution and Habitat
Urochloa ramosa is a warm-season, monocotyledonous annual grass belonging to Poaceae. It is a short-lived, tufted, loosely clumped herb with decumbent to erect culms. It is considered native to South-East Asia and tropical Africa and now naturalised in tropical Asia, Arabia, China, Australia and South-Eastern USA. In India, it is cultivated as minor millet mostly in dry, rain-fed tracts of Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Livelihood Report
Training programme
In the month of August 01 Training programmes conducted and 06 Peoples attended. The training was mainly on Kitchen garden.
Landscaping and Beautification
Plantaion at Parvathavarthini School
On 10 August 2026, 20 flower plants were planted at Shri Parvathavarthini School as part of the ongoing environmental initiatives. The activity aimed to enhance campus greenery while encouraging students to develop awareness, responsibility and care for nature.
Revival and Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies
Teertha Pooja
During this month, Teertha Poojas were performed at 15 traditional water bodies with the participation of 255 volunteers. Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Teertha Mitras, and yoga students actively volunteered in conducting the poojas.
Social Capital
Teertha Mitra Meeting
The Teertha Mitra monthly meeting was held on 10 August 2026, with 36 members participating. The meeting reviewed the previous month’s activities, particularly the Bhairava Teertha Pooja, and discussed preparations for the upcoming Runa Vimochana Teertha Pooja.
Squirrel Green Rameswaram Newsletter
For students….
From students ..
72nd issue – August 2026
