Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 27: Vanamahotsava – the festival of trees was celebrated by the members of the Eco Club and Scouts & Guides on July 27. The chief guest of the occasion was Sridhar, forest range officer from the city. Others present were Kavitha Sanil, local corporator, Krishnappa, environmentalist, Sr Melissa AC principal and administrator, Sr Carissima AC.
It was an ideal opportunity to instill the value of personal and social responsibilities in the students towards safeguarding trees and forests. The focus of the celebration was to form a personal connect between the students and trees through a process of experience, reflection and co-creation carried out through various activities.
The programme began by seeking the Almighty’s blessings on mother earth in order that it may be conserved by humans and that humans may realize the grave mistake they commit in felling trees.
The members of the Eco Club presented a skit generating awareness of the need to conserve trees. They depicted a contrast as to how mother earth looked a few years back to how it is now. The president of the Eco Club, Sneha A S highlighted the significance of the day. She urged her peers to join hands for this noble cause and help in little ways to curb the destruction of this planet.
Students of classes VI – VIII presented a drama through which they portrayed the ‘feelings of the trees’ which are cut down for human selfish needs. Students also tapped their feet to ‘Jaya Hai Kaanada Taye’ and entertained the audience.
Sanil, the local corporator appreciated the efforts of the school and the students for organizing a very meaningful programme. She congratulated the students for putting up an educative street play, highlighting the ban on plastic and not to cut down trees, but instead to grow more of them. She also encouraged the students to join hands with the mission to make Mangaluru a clean city and thereby bag the 1st place for the cleanest city in India during the next evaluation in February 2017.
Speaking on the occasion, Sridhar, the forest range officer said that the festival educated and created awareness about the importance of trees among the people, portraying the need for planting and tending trees. “The essence of this Mahotsav must be retained by us throughout the year and not be confined to just this day,” he added.
A plantation drive within the MCCS premises was led by the school management along with Sridhar, Krishnappa and the students. Two saplings were then planted in the school grounds as they promised to spread the message of green cover amongst their friends and families. Around 504 students and a few staff who registered for the 'Best and Healthy Tree' contest were given a Neem sapling, which they will plant in their homes. The students have carried home this treasure with great enthusiasm as there was great support from the parents. This contest will be assessed by the school authorities in April 2017 and winners will be awarded attractive prizes.
This programme was compered by Glen Sequeira of class IX and Faye Rodrigues of class VI. Ravijna R of class X welcomed the gathering. The vote of thanks was given by Aniketh Shetty of class X.