Inculcating green habits
Published on: August 11, 2010 - 22:31
BY ARTI DAS | NT NETWORK
They say a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. So, it’s
very important to take that first step to initiate a change and this is
exactly what a group of like-minded individuals did some 19 years ago at
Siolim.
They started a unique festival of plants and flowers to inculcate a
green habit among the people of Siolim and to send a positive message
across. This has now become an integral part of this village.
Spearheaded by cartoonist, Alexyz Fernandes and his good old pal and
photojournalist, Mr Joel D’Souza and their close associates the festival
has now become an annual event that is backed with a plant exhibition
and sale, talks and discussions and various other events.
“This idea struck me some 20 years ago when I visited a plant exhibition
at Kala Academy, Panaji. I mentioned to Joel that we needed to start
such an event in our own village and that’s how the festival began. Way
back in 1992 we began on a small scale. We started under the name Green
Heritage. I remember we used to travel in a tempo around the village and
collect plants and saplings from villagers to host this festival. We
managed to follow the same system for five years. But, then it was quite
taxing for us due to our other responsibilities. Thus, we approached the
St Xavier’s School, Siolim and they willingly accepted the concept of
hosting this festival,” recollects Alexyz who is still very much a part
of this festival.
As the years passed by the festival gained popularity and thus they
started inviting nurseries, hosting events relating to students and also
roped in experts.
“I was always an environment-friendly person so I thought of this
concept, but I had no technical know-how about plants. So, I approached
Mr Miguel Braganza, an expert on the subject. Mr Braganza has been a
part of the event since.”
This year the festival will be celebrated from August 13-15 at SFX
School Complex, Siolim. The theme for this year is ‘Organic Vegetables’.
“This year we have around 20 schools participating. We have asked the
students of SFX school to bring plants from their own garden. Thus, we
will have a floral display of these plants,” confirms Diego Pinto,
organiser of this year’s event.
The event will be formally inaugurated by Mr Orlando Rodrigues, MD, Goa
Horticulture Department at 11 a.m. on August 13 at the main auditorium
of the school complex.
A cooking competition for the parents of the school students will be
held. “These parents will have to prepare one vegetarian dish and bring
it to the school,” adds Pinto.
A quiz competition is being held for the students on August 14. “We are
having around 15 schools participating in this quiz. They will be
quizzed on local Goan vegetables–local names, seasons and even history,”
informs Pinto.
For the higher secondary students, an essay writing competition will be
held. Students have to write on any one topic—‘Vegetarian food is the
key to good health’ or ‘Organic farming–playing safe?’
The highlight of the event is the talk on earthworms by Dr Sultan Ismail
of New University, Chennai and Earthworm Research Foundation on August
14. The Green Heritage Eco Club will also release their book on ‘Growing
Vegetables Organically’ on August 13.
The organisers are hopeful that this event will make students more
eco-conscious and will help to take a green step forward. “Goa is
already losing its tree cover due to hill-cutting, deforestation etc.
But, with events like these people will get a chance to plant more trees
and help Goa,” concludes Alexyz.
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