Thiruvananthapuram: Children part of the Sangeethachola vacation programme, jointly organised by Balavihar and MBS Youth Choir, went on a Tree Walk at the venue on the third day of the week long camp.
After an informative indoor session on Cinema led by Sri Aravind, the participants were keen to stretch their legs and enjoy the cool breeze in the verdant campus. The walk led by Dr Santhi, Coordinator of Tree Walk, explained the 35 different species of trees in Balavihar. Starting from the State Tree, the Indian laburnum still in bloom, the walk traced the homes of species like the African Tulip, the Diwi-Diwi, the Copper pod and the Frangipani. The children were curious to know about the solitary Eucalyptus tree in the campus and its effect on the ecology of a place.
The jackfruit tree, planted in memory of the founder of Balavihar, Sarma, and the mango tree planted to remember Sri Surendranath Asan, also caught the eye of the children. The jamun tree with fruits, the Jacaranda with its lilac flowers, the Mickey Mouse Plant with blooms, the Crepe Mrytle with seeds and the Slow Match tree with its globular seeds were keenly observed.
The participants noted the tender leaves of tamarind, the Indian Ash tree, the Mahogany, the Teak and the Persian lilac all of which grow together decreasing the temperature of this campus by 3 degree centigrade.
The programme was interlaced with songs and stories on trees.
The SangeethaChola programme has a good schedule with exposures to science, drama/theatre, arts and craft besides time for play and expressing oneself. The programme is being coordinated by Ashok S. and assisted by Celin K.V., Uma V., Sreedevi R., Parimalam, Sreekumar S. and Shaju R. of the MBS Youth Choir. The programme will conclude on May 12 with a valedictory function at Balavihar where certificates for the participants will be distributed.
