World Bamboo Day
celebrations at Vazhachal stress the importance of Bamboo to deal with Climate
Change.
The World Bamboo
Day Celebrations was celebrated at Vazhachal, Athirapilly, Trissur, South India
on 18th September, 2012.
Unnikrishna
Pakkanar, the Founder Director of Creator Folklore and Contemporary Concepts
organized the World Bamboo Day celebration at Vazhachal, Athirapilly, Trissur,
Kerala, South India.
Unnikrishna
Pakkanar welcomed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion Unnikrishna Pakkanar
told, “Without Grass No Water. I am an Indian I trust the grass (Bamboo).
Dronacharyar started with a Bamboo. This is Bamboo Day. Just remember or read
Mahabaratham”. The global warming is challenging the planet today in different
ways. Our livelihoods and lives we live are being questioned by Mother
Nature. We need to bring down the global warming by planting various
kinds of trees which will eventually cool this planet and return it back to
normalcy. Bamboo being a grass grows much faster and is one of the best floras
that can bring down the Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Environment Awareness is the key to the success of these initiatives and days
like this Bamboo day go a long way in creating the much required awareness in
the society, added Unnikrishna Pakkanar.
The Kerala
Bamboo Mission and Kerala Bamboo Corporation never attended the celebrations
though invited. The people who deal with Bamboo instead of celebrating the
Bamboo Day was seen at Emerging Kerala programme, told Pakkanar.
The Kerala
Bamboo Mission which deals with the Bamboo from Kerala forests gives away the
Bamboo at throw away price to various corporate bodies to make Bamboo Boards
and other crafts made using machines. The poor tribals who are the rightful
owners of this Bamboo are never given even a share of the profit.
Unnikrishna
Pakkanar welcomed the decision of Environment Minister Ms.Jayanthi Natarajan,
that the Bamboo should be classified as a minor forest produce as it is a grass
and the auctions must be conducted by the community, the share of the profit
must go to the community like in North East India felt Mr.Pakkanar.
With the kind of
development that is happening in Kerala and rest of India, the traditional
artisans and bamboo related Scheduled Castes and Tribes are denied any right
for their livelihood in Kerala. The best thing that can happen is by sharing of
profits and resources so that poor in this country also can survive. Stressing
his mission and watchwords that is “Consume Less-Share Better”, Mr. Pakkanar
added this attitude alone can make Bamboo survive and also can go a long way in
making Bamboo a household commodity rather than seen as some aesthetic material
to decorate only some rich houses.
The programme
started at 10 am was inaugurated by Athirapilly Panchayath Ward member Sri
Murali Chakkanthara.
About 100 tribal
students planted Bamboo at the school premises. 1000 Bamboo Saplings were
distributed.
The Chief
Conservator of Forests Sri Juppidi Prasad inaugurated the Bamboo Painting
Competition. Speaking on the occasion Sri Prasad appreciated Unnikrishna
Pakkanar for his initiative and dedication to conduct this event. He also
distributed the Bamboo Saplings to the students and people who attended the
event.
Vazhachal
Divisional Forest Officer Sri Abdul Nazar Kunju inaugurated the Mulapanikootam
(Bamboo Crafts Exhibition).
A seminar on
Bamboo was held for college students and for community people on importance of
Bamboo in our lives. Sri V.K.Sreedharan, from Sangeeth Natya Academy was the
moderator for the session. Dr K.C. Soman (KFRI) spoke on various varieties of
Bamboo, stressed on how Bamboo is going to play a big role in the future of
this planet. Dr. Sister Rose Anto spoke about the importance of ecology and the
significance of the day like Bamboo Day. Sri Ullash Kumar, Eco Watch
Bengaluru spoke of how Bamboo plays a big role with all other natural grass in
the hydrology of the entire south India. He stressed that “Grasslands means
Water”. The rivers in south originate from Grasslands. Bamboo also is
significant in reducing the global warming.
Vazhachal
Oorumoopan Lakshmanan (Tribal Leader), Pokalapara Oorumoopan Subramanian
(Tribal Leader from Pokalapara), Dr K C Soman, Kerala Forest Research
Institute, Dr.Sister Rose Anto, V.K.Sreedharan and Ullash Kumar , Eco Watch
Bangalore spoke on Bamboo conservation.
The valedictory
function was attended by Chalakudy MLA Sri B.D. Devvassy.
Sri Devassy MLA
speaking on the occasion stressed the importance of bamboo as a solution to
deal with Climatic Changes. He spoke how the Kanni Konna (Cassia Fistula) which
blooms in April, this year flowered in September. Cassia Fistula is one of most
sacred flowers for the Keralities and they use it for celebrating Vishu, now
this year the flower was seen during Onam due to climate change. He felt the
climate has changed drastically and that is the reason for these things
happening. He stressed that planting Bamboo can go a long way in bringing
down the climatic changes.
The valedictory
also saw music by Karinthalakkottam and Bamboo Symphony. The music from Eco
friendly Bamboo was enjoyed by one and all including the guests who came to
Vazhachal.
Sri Devassy, MLA
of Chalakudy constituency distributed certificates to the participants of the
daylong event.
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