THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As on every World Environment Day in recent years, lakhs of tree saplings were planted all over the state on Tuesday too, but a committee of the state legislative Assembly has questioned the wisdom of such tree-planting sprees during the monsoons.
The committee on environment headed by MLA and former Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran noted the risks in this practice in a special report on the need for a school curriculum that brings students closer to the environment.
Copies of the report, submitted in February, was made available on Wednesday. According to the panel, there is a strong possibility that frail saplings planted during the monsoon would get destroyed in heavy rainfall. Suggesting that the trees be planted in the summer instead, the panel has also recommended a scientific study into the pros and cons of the monsoon-time exercise. Many parts of the world enjoy summer during this period though it is rainy season in Kerala, it noted.
‘’The committee has doubts regarding the scientific basis of planting trees during the environment day in June. The committee observes that a majority of the saplings are likely to be destroyed in the rains. It would be advisable to plant and nurture them in the summer as that would help the roots take better hold in the soil,’’ the report said.
Environment studies in schools should contain field projects so that students are inspired by soil, rivers and forests, the panel said. The syllabi should be eco-friendly in a manner that the feeling gets deep-rooted in every student that environment protection is his/her responsibility.Teachers of all education institutions, including the colleges, should be provided training in environmental issues by experts, the report said. Formation of ‘Bhoomitra Sena Clubs’ across the state and organisation of environment-related seminars and symposiums in educational institutions are some of the other recommendations by the panel.