COAST LAND PROTECTION: THE NOVEL WAY OF FORESTING MANGROVES ALONG THE COASTLINE Abstract: Statement of the problem: Environmental issue of water and air pollution – “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Likewise when the team in the organization saw the hazards created by the factories of an industrial estate named SIPCOT in the Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu state, India they decided to bring a permanent solution to the problem. Another greater issue that bothered was the fresh water bodies and the back waters near the industrial estate were very badly polluted by the residues and the discharge of the factories. Theory and Orientation: The villagers could not afford to protest to shut down the factories because these people who are basically agriculturists and fisherfolks and due to the recent droughts they had to solely depend on the factories for their jobs and livelihood. But the threats due to the pollution increased day by day. Thus, emerged the Aalamaram-NGO to work for the welfare of the villagers in 2009. To everybody’s great surprise, mangrove reforestation has been enthusiastically taken up by the rural based NGO, AALAMARAM. The NGO’s volunteers from the surrounding villages of Thiyagavalli, Nochikadu, Naduthittu , Thiruchopuram, Poondiyankuppam,rajapettai and Sothikuppam extended their sincere co-operation in planting the seedlings, carefully nursing them and vigilantly preserving them.The youngsters of the nearby villages voluntarily took part in this noble mission. Students and other working people of the village took turns in groups and got into the marshy lands to plant and nurse the plants in the night hours. Their selfless service from 2009 made their dreams come true. Nearly 5,000 mangrove saplings were planted along the bank of Uppanar River. The industrial area of Cuddalore, SIPCOT is located on the bank and wishing that the mangroves would purify the water and the air polluted by these industries, volunteers eagerly planted saplings of mangrove and avicennia along the river bank. Motivated by the interest showed by the villagers in protecting the saplings, we, the office bearers of the AALAMARAM NGO also planned to expand thisproject to the other nearby coastal villages too. The saplings grew almost to the heights of 5feet. Inspite of the flood that affected the mangrove plants in 2015 and the heavy downpours and storms that attacked the coast the volunteers still continue to carry out their mission. PAPER PRESENTATIONS: 1. FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE I. Paper presented at the International Conference on “Food Security and Hunger Management” during 28 – 30th July 2011 at vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi. Mr.Arjunanelayaraja, Secretary, Alamaram NGO, Thiyagvalli & Post, Cuddalore – T.K. Pincode : 608 801. Tamilnadu India PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY: Presented by ARJUNAN ELAYARAJA, an Indian, born on the 16th of October, 1979 in a village called Thiyagavalli in the Southern State Tamil Nadu of India. Did schooling in the Government school in Cuddalore and graduated from the Periyar Arts College, Cuddalore. Immensely attracted by the Gandhian Principles, got into social work immediately after graduation and strives for the welfare of his villagers till date. Holds the post of the Secretary of the NGO – Aalamaram ( Banyan Tree)and is basically and Environmental Protect. Contact numbers: Residence: 04142 - 270270 Work : Mobile : 09965654015. Member, International youth center ,Newdelhi; Has bagged the District youth Award in 2005, National Award for Best citizen of India - 2007, Swami Vivekananda award and sister Margarette Award in 2016; has participated in many National and International seminars and conferences on Environmental issues.
Taxonomy
- Non Government Organisation