KOCHI: In the aftermath of floods, umpteen plastic bottles were seen strewn on the roads when the water receded. While it highlighted our attitude towards nature, there are many who are doing their bit against this.
And Khader, a fisherman on the Cherupuzha river at Kuttikadav, is one such soul. He has been on a mission for more than a decade to save the Cherupuzha, a tributary of the Chaliyar river from plastic pollution. The environmentalist has been selected for the 21st P V Thampy Memorial Endowment Award, which will be presented to him on November 9. The award worth Rs. 25000 and a memento will be presented by film director Ranjith in an event at YMCA Conference Hall, Kochi.
Khader never bothered about complaining to others, neither asked for help from anyone. When the Chaliyar was furiously flowing in August, his concern was to remove the bottles clogged under a nearby bridge. Hanging from a wooden branch which was tied to the railing, Khader managed to collect all the bottles.
The septuagenarian is locally known as the protector of Cherupuzha. Many locals have attested to his untiring efforts to keep the river clean. Other than fishing, he is into farming and earns a few rupees from selling the bottles at a recycling centre.
The affection towards the river which has been a part of his life since childhood is what inspires him.
Considering the level of pollution the Chaliyar is facing, Khader’s effort is receiving appreciation from different quarters as a brilliant model of protecting Nature. Environment Monitoring Forum, Kochi, an agency recognising the acts of ordinary citizens in nature conservation since 1998.