KOCHI: Padma Shri Lakshmikutty Amma on Wednesday inaugurated the North Paravur Municipality's ‘Kilikkudam’ project - under which mud pots filled with water will be placed in the households for avian visitors to quench their thirst - at the Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Memorial Town Hall at North Paravur here.
Lakshmikutty had the audience transfixed when she narrated a real life incident involving a crow which visits her house daily in search of 'puttu'. “I don’t put water specifically for birds. However, there is a huge water tank in front of the house and they directly drink from it,” she said.
Interacting with the students, she said even children could play a role in conserving nature. “Begin now from your compound. Place water for the birds. As you grow, do bigger things but remember even the smallest effort will not be in vain." She also regaled the gathering by belting out a 'Naadan pattu'. Ramesh Kurup, North Paravur Municipality chairperson, said this is probably the first time a local body has come out with such a green initiative. “Houses will have the mud bowls filled with water. This, we believe will help the birds in search of water during the summer,” he said.
The mud pots were distributed at the function, with several more such pots to be distributed across the municipality in the coming days. Kurup hastened to add this may not happen in a day or two. "It may take a while for the birds to realise this is indeed a safe zone. Once this happens, they will come regularly," he said.The others who had made significant contributions in the field of natural healing were honoured on the occasion.