Among its most winning quality for its students and onlookers is the great cover of greenery found at Sacred Heart College, Thevara. From its inception in 1944, the institution has been heaven to all the Heartians. The flourishing lawns and the beautiful gardens provide a soothing atmosphere. The college en route is tantalising. A calm, serene and beautiful patch in the middle of a dusty, bustling city comes as a welcome breather.
Its highlight though is the botanical garden with its rich collection of potted, ornamental and medicinal plants of rare varieties. "We have identified 500 plants at present and had published a book ' Campus Flora ' to give a clear view of the plants in S. H ," said Dr. V. J. Dominic, The Head of the Botany Department.
The professional garden designers visit often and provide their support for gardening. A 50,000 litre rain water harvesting plant has been installed by the college to irrigate the botanical garden. There is also a facility for mushroom cultivation for first year botany students. There are 27 star trees which reveal the traditional idea of 'each star sign has each tree'. The fertilisers that are used in the campus garden are always organic. The students also participate in classroom cleanliness and beautification programmes. Students and teachers are also interested in upland farming which is being undertaken for the past two years.
The place is also dotted with several birds and animals. But it is the four Indian breed horses with their majestic manes which monopolise the attention of every beholder.
The students and public have been provided with a great chance to enhance their equestrian skill. These horses were annexed from the stables of Chennai, Ooty, Mysore and Munnar. The daily expenses of a horse is ` 200.
Emu is another attraction of Sacred Heart College. The largest bird which is the native of Australia is now owned by Heartians. There are seven emus in the campus. The egg of emu is greenish blue colour. It costs about ` 30, 000 to buy a pair of emu. Guinea pigs, crocodile and geese have also inhabited S. H College.
Different types of fishes are yet another attraction of the campus. There are a wide variety of marine and fresh water fishes which are really loved by the Heartians. Clown Fish, Laced Moray, Angel Fish, Silver Moony and Caerulean Damsel are some of the attractive ones in the campus. Marine aquatic fishes are fed with prawns and chopped fish flesh. Whereas fresh water fishes are provided with pellet feed." Flower Horn Fish, a pair of which costs around ` 10, 000, recently died due to parasite disease called white spot disease. Viral infection such as Nerve Necrosis is yet another common disease among fishes," informed Binesh C P, a guest lecturer of the Department of Aqua-culture.
Students are extremely proud of their campus, so full of flora and fauna.
"S. H blends both nature and technology", exclaims Nimisha of 2nd M.Sc Chemistry. " The college provides plenty of opportunities for excellence in extra-curricular activities. We have horse riding for example, and there are other nature-related clubs as well, but not many students are using these facilities unfortunately," remarks Shameem P. H, the Senior Cadet Captain of Naval NCC of Sacred Heart College.
