Mangaluru: Water scarcity that has struck Mangaluru not only has many cribbing but also enhanced some motivational work from the young minds of St Agnes College. A small initiative for a greater change was also seen through by the management of the college. While passing by the college one can see that the dividers on the adjoining roads have nearly 150 plants in them and some bottles hung up for the purpose of drip irrigation.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com, Sr. Dr. Jeswina A C, Principal of St Agnes College said, “This initiative was to build a green environment and beautiful one as well. With the initiative of Sr.Vanessa AC, the college Economics Forum and the NSS Team this idea was given a form. The initiative did not stop at planting but the daily care was taken by the students of the UG and PG departments in turns. The bottle drip method was a unique idea of the students to make the plants get more water and at a slower pace.”
“This is the first college in Mangaluru to take the initiative to plant saplings in a public place and to make the environment greener as said by MLA J R Lobo,” highlighted the principle. “The initiative didn’t come easy. We had to get the permission from the corporators and the DC and other stake holders of the society. The MCC motivated us to take this initiative and make it a public event. Ever since the event we have been maintaining the plants,” quoted the principle.
Highlighting the presence of environmentalist Saalu Maradha Thimakka considered a living legend, at the event Sr. Jeswina said there was a need to address and give a motivational push to the students to nurture the nature.
“The college also participated to create a movement to protect the trees that were to be cut down near Mallikatte. With an idea of Appiko movement, the college approached the DC and was able to save the trees near Mallikatte. We all have a responsibility towards nature and we have to take care of them. If we cut down the trees we have to see to it that replacements are made” she said.
Sr. Vanessa A C, who led the initiative of planting the saplings said, “This was a part of the college curriculum known as environmental activities for the 3rd year BA Economics students which is commonly called an extension activity. We had initially planted 150 saplings, but now hardly 100 are remaining. This is because of the people’s movement while crossing the road-some plants were broken and rest rooted out. We water the plants daily in the evening by taking turns classwise.”
The college also has taken up a task to make the college an eco-friendly one. Solar energy panels are being installed which will be fully functional in 2017. The college also has planted arecanut and coconut saplings to beautify the environment and to get some yield too.
This model initiative by the college towards environmental conservation is indeed an inspiration to all the people of Mangaluru.
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