In an attempt to make the administrative wing in the district aware of the converted wetlands and ponds within the city limits, ‘Nattukoottam’, a popular collective, and Environment Protection Committee (EPC) joined hands to stage a satirical protest ‘Kulamevide?’(Where is the pond?) at the Kandankulam Jubilee Hall premises here on Thursday.
The protest began with Freedom Fighter P Vasu and noted Gandhian Thayatt Balan pouring a glass of water into two glasses and offering it to two boys. “We purposefully split it into two glasses to proclaim that the district has no more wetlands and ponds to quench the thirst of people here,” said N Balakrishnan, convenor of Nattukoottam.
In his inaugural address to the puzzled gathering, Thayatt Balan said, “My ancestral home was near the pond where I used to take a dip everyday. Our children are losing such wonderful experiences.”
Nearly 15 students staged a search for pond during the protest asking for the reasons that ended up with the conversion of the pond. “Lack of foresightedness and coordination among the administrators have resulted in the illegal conversion of the much depended wetlands and ponds,” Balakrishnan said. “The same rulers are forcing us to dig rain water pits. Who knows, the other ponds that they are aiming to convert is for satisfying their vested interests,” he said.