Mudichur aims for green future

Chennai: Aiming at creating zero waste households and to tap youngster participation for the ecological redevelopment of the suburban villages in Tamil Nadu, the Environmental Federation of India (EFI)’s green gramam concept, which was initiated in suburban Mudichur, is spreading on a positive note.
Environmentalists predict that over 40 % of the 8,000 households will turn out Zero Waste in a year, while the two lakes would be restored, facilitating the comeback of 13 bird species and 3 reptile varieties. “Seekana and Mudichur Lake is home for varieties of birds including pond heron, grey pelican and painted stork. Rapid encroachments have made their numbers decrease,” said Arun Krishnamurthy of EFI.

As part of the project, an audit was conducted to assess the mindset of the people. “Over 65% of the population expressed interest in going environmental friendly. We received a lot of helping hands while planting samples,” said the coordinator of the project, Niranjana Krishna Kumar.

Deliberate pollution of water bodies, burning of plastic and excessive garbage dumping is what makes suburban villages like Mudichur violate not just the legal framework but also the natural food chain cycle.

Talking to DC, Mudichur Village Panchayat, P Damodaran said that the concept is vital to retain the 80 acres of the existing agricultural land in the locality. Offering the opinion that the children could be the real change makers, the organisation is all set to open environmental clubs in schools post summer holidays. A village fair with street plays and games was organised on Sunday evening to promote the concept among the residents.