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A report by Melinda Powell, Goa Sudharop Volunteer. A big thank you to all who
made the event a
great success.
Goa Sudharop
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This morning, (Aug 25th) in Cuncolim, Maria Bambina school hall was packed to
capacity, with about
550 students and about 50 teachers, all waiting eagerly to listen to the
Environment awareness
programme organised by Goa Sudharop consistent with its 2007 theme - YEAR OF
THE ENVIRONMENT.
Unfortunately, one of the resource persons, Aaron Fernandes met with a minor
accident, and the
team was slightly delayed.
While waiting for the team to arrive, Melinda Powell decided to tap the talents
of the children,
and encourage them to speak on environmental issues. Three students responded
and they spoke
beautifully on garbage management and woes that befall our State.
The program began with an environmental song in konkani by the students of
Maria Bambina school.
It was followed by speech by Ibonio Dsouza, Goa representative of Goa Sudharop.
He highlighted the
activities of Goa Sudharop and explained the ideals that Goa Sudharop stands
for. Sr Assumpta
welcomed the gathering.
Sunil Khorajjkar, a renowned herpetologist, enthralled the students with
beautiful slides of
different varieties of snakes and wildlife. He shared important information
about each species,
and told the students how to identify snakes. His easy manner and his jovial
communication with
the students, made the whole program very enjoyable.
Dr Neelam Komparpant, a marine and wildlife biologist spoke on Bio diversity
and she showed the
students slides on flora, fauna and endangered species. She also addressed the
topic of pollution
and mentioned the different types of pollution.
The highlight of the program was the live demonstration of different varieties
of snakes from
small kraits to huge pythons. Assisted by Green Cross volunteers Sagar, Mario
and Alfred who
handled the snakes, Sunil Khorajjkar expounded and gave the students valuable
information on each
snake. There was excitement, loud gasps, cheering and all manner of reactions
from the excited
students. The high point was when a few students were allowed to touch 2
enormous rock pythons
which majestically lay across a table - of course they were pinned down on each
end by the
handlers. The handlers were alert, deft and swift and they handled the snakes
beautifully. Sunil
also told the students many snake stories, incidents, myths about snakes, and
in the process of
sharing information, he also entertained the students.
There were also staff and students from neighbouring schools in Cuncolim, every
one left the hall,
enriched with knowledge of issues that concern the environment.
Melinda Powell
Goa Sudharop Volunteer
