Homemaker steps out for a green cause

KOZHIKODE: Shashikala Madathil, a 54-year old homemaker, is all set to realise her lifelong dream on this World Environment Day - to be the harbinger of nature. To begin with, she will launch 'Amma Maram' programme on Monday at Kuttiady Urath L.P, School, where she studied.

The plan is to plant three saplings (Nelli, Elangi, Naatumavu) at each school of the district at a pace of 50 schools in a year. "It is high time we did our bit for nature. The traditional wild trees are fast disappearing from our surroundings which provided the quintessential warmth of life," she told DC.

Originally from Kavilumpara near Thottilpalam, she had a wonderful life in the lap of nature. "Now the common practice is growing ornamental plants or grafted items. Humans control the natural growth of plants by manipulating its size and pollination," she laments.

A former member of Kavilumpara grama panchayat, she is staying in the city for the past few years. Ms Shashikala has clear plans for the nurturing saplings. "Selected students will be in charge of nurturing. On every 'birthday' of the trees, cakes/chocolates made out of kitchen bio-waste would be put at the base of the plants as manure. This novel 'celebration' will grab the attention of students and teachers to nurture plants," she explained.

Ms Shashikala, while studying in Class V in Kuttiady MA UP School had planted half a dozen 'Ponchempakam' given by her father Achuthan Vaidyar, a traditional healer. "Two of them are still adorning the compound of the school as big trees," a proud Ms Shashikala says. She has collected saplings from social forestry division and her friends and relatives spread across Malabar.