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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Eco awareness camp helps tribal children strengthen bond with nature

By D. Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: Thanks to a two-day eco awareness camp facilitated by the Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) and organised by the Departments of Tourism and Tribal Welfare, about one hundred tribal students from various parts of the Nilgiris strengthened their bond with nature.

In the process, the children studying in Standard VI to VIII had a whale of a time.

Concept


In a bid to enhance awareness about the unique ecology of the Blue Mountains among children belonging to the lower strata of the society here and in the plains, the concept was introduced by the HADP last year.

District Adi dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer K.Ponnuswamy said that the students including 50 girls hailed from tribal communities such as Irula, Kurumba, Paniyan and Kattunayakan.

They were studying in 13 Government Tribal Residential schools in various places including Thengumorahada and Hallimoyar in a remote part of the district.

HADP Assistant Project Director J.Haldorai said that the transport, stay and food for the students were taken care of by the organisers.

The students were accompanied by their headmasters.

Pointing out that on Thursday, they had been taken to Sim’s Park in Coonoor and Dodabetta here, Tourist Officer S.Dorairaj said that they were also given a chance to see the Tea Museum. In the evening, an audio-visual presentation on the environment was made by V.Sivadass, Managing Trustee, Nilgiri Environment and Cultural Service Trust.

Enthusiasm


On Friday, Ooty Lake and the Government Botanical Garden were among the places they visited. From the beginning till the end the tribal children had displayed considerable enthusiasm.

While M. Bommi, a Standard VIII student of the Government Tribal Residential Middle School, Kargudi, near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, said that she was thrilled, R.Satheesh hailing from the Kaatunayakan community and studying in Standard VII of the GTR School in Mukkatty said that he was seeing Ooty for the first time. K.Sudha, a Paniyan girl, said that the boat ride had made her very happy.

Kishore, partner of the canteen and amusement park at the Boat House, said that the outing had given him a chance to serve the children belonging to the economically week tribal families.

Headmaster of the GTR School in Mukkatty R.Sekar said that the outing had helped the tribal children get valuable exposure.

Source: The Hindu

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