Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme Report on the Nature - Biodiversity Study Camp for Young Scientists 20-21 February 2010 at Pechipparai Prepared by A Rju Mohan, 60 Young Scientists under the Guidance of Kumari Arivial Peravai Organizer Sri. M. Velaian Sir and Scientists Er. P. MURUGAN Er. S. INGERSOL Er. A. BENZIHARRAJAN Coordinators Shri. M. JOHNRABIKUMAR Shri. P. GOPALAN Shri. L. EDWINSAM Shri. J. JOEPRAKASH Shri. R. SATHISKUMAR Shri. S. JOHNSON Shri. SAMRAJ Faculties DR. R. RICHARD KENNEDY Asso. Professor (Horticulture) DR. R. BALAKUMBAHAN Asst. Professor (Horticulture) Guides Smt. LATHAMOHAN Smt. STELLA BAI Smt. SUBATRA Smt. ASHAVIJAYAMOHAN Smt. NIRMALA 1
Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme It was a nice morning as usual. We the Young Scientists of the five teams assembled at the zoology lab of the Government Tribal Higher Secondary School, Pechipparai, as instructed. The morning programme, organised by the Land team, was presided over by Shri. P. Balakrishnan Sir, Headmaster of the School. Shri. Sundaram Sir, P. G. Assistant of the School, welcomed all the chief guests on the dais. Then Shri. Velaian Sir delivered the introductory speech about the two-day camp. After a few minutes came the auspicious moment we were waiting for the inaugural address by Shri. V. Sundara Raju IFS, District Forest Officer, Kanyakumari District, enriched our earlier knowledge about nature and biodiversity. 2
Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme The second session of the programme began at the Horticultural Research Station, Pechipparai. Dr. R. Richard Kennedy, Associate Professor (Horticulture) and Dr. R. Balakumbahan, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) taught us about horticulture and showed us the Green Houses, with lots and lots of varieties of plants. There were endangered plants also. 3
Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme The third session began with individual team meets for group studies. Then we set out to a gallery where the pictures of biodiversity were displayed. After that we went to the Pechipparai Dam, built during the period 1897-1906, across the River Kodayar, about a mile below the confluence of the tributaries Kallar, Chittar and Kuttiyar; there we also visited the tomb of Humphrey Alexander Minchin, who was the main engineer of the dam. 4
Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme We had cultural programmes at night, which were so interesting. At the end of the programme we were asked to write a poem. Thus ended the first day of the camp.. The next morning we had yoga class, as usual. Then each of us went onto the stage and described their experiences. What We Learnt Out Of This Camp: 1. There are three types of biodiversity. They are ecosystem, species, and genetic ecosystem. 2. Learnt that each Hindu God/Goddess has His/Her own tree and animal. 3. Once the biodiversity is destroyed, it is difficult to get it back. 5
Kumari Arivial Peravai Young Scientists Programme 4. As individuals, we must try to prevent using plastics. 5. The main natural resource is the forest. 6. Destruction of forests may lead to several harmful effects. 7. Understood the process of biomagnification. 8. It is our duty to protect the natural biodiversity of India. 10. Kanyakumari is rich for its high quality rubber and its abundance of medicinal plants and for the fact that mango trees produce mangoes two times a year. Thus ended another very valuable camp in our life with Kumari Arivial Peravai. Those moments of our camp life in the serenity of Nature balanced with biodiversity we will ever cherish in our memory and we are sure its great impact would mould our character in biodiversity. nurturing the Nature and protecting her We are ever grateful to the Headmaster Shri. P. Balakrishnan Sir and the PG Assistant Shri. Sundaram Sir and others of the Government Tribal Higher Secondary School, Associate Professor Dr. R. Richard Kennedy, and Assistant Professor Dr. R. Balakumbahan of Horticultural Research Station, Pechipparai, as well as to the organisers of KAP including Sri Velaian Sir, our scientists, coordinators and guide teachers. A Big Thank You All! 6