NATURE CAMP REPORT- 12th Feb-14th Feb 2010.
Place of visit- Chimmony Dam – Thirssur
“There is a pleasure in the path less woods,
There is rapture on the lonely shore,
There is a society, where none intrudes
By the dep seas, and music in its roads
I love not mass less, but nature more”.
- George Gordon, Lord Byron
Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage
On 12th Feb 2010, we a group comprising of 40 nature lovers from St. Joseph’s Training College started on a three day trekking and camping four to Chimmony Dam, Thirssur district. The group included our Principal, Dr.Sr. Rosamma Lukose the teacher in charge Dr. Rachel George and 3 Prominent Resource personal (Mr. Renjith Kumar, Mr. Venu Variath and Mr. Vinod) and 35 students in all.
At about 9.15 am we boarded the bus and our first pit stop was Ezhattumughum . The highlight of the place was the check dams constructed to prevent the overflow of water. It was at this site that the tour guides and the resource personals introduced themselves. The first person to speak wwas Mr. Venu Variath a well known children’s writes from Aluva. He has worked for nearly 20 years in all the prominent children’s books like Poompatta, Balarama, PCM magazine, Balabhumi. He has let nature speak in all his works. In his introduction, he told us to observe nature as nature is the best teacher. He told us that even plucking a flower is a grave crime, as we fail to comprehend the extend of damage this single act can bring. He adviced us that as teachers we have to give examples from nature and this will amaze the students we teach. Then Mr. Vinod of Mathubhumis SEED programme for school students introduced himself. After the formal introduction we moved on to Athirapilly water falls located 78 Km from Kochi at the entrance of Sholayar Ranges. It presented to us one of the most bewitching sights and its greenery and misty waters infused freshness into our tired soul. We visual Athirapilly when it was at the peak of a controversy ie. construction of dam across the river. It could be a site for Rs 675 crore, 163 MW hydal power project and the state government has earmarked nearly 140 hec here for the construction of the dam. There has been strong protests from the environmental groups around the state. Dr. Achuthan a leading environmentalist shored his views with us in an interactive session. He said that it is not the developmental projects the environmentalists are against. He said that they were against the unscientific developments instead of utilizing the already existing dams to the fullest government wants to construct newer dams which could spell doom for to entire ecosystem. After the talk, we had our lunch and then moved on to the prime destination- Chimmany Dam. at about 6.30 Pm nearly three hours behind schedule we reached Chinmony wildlife sanctuary. It is situated in Mukundapuram Taluk of Thirssur district. Established in 1984 it has its head quarters at Echippara. In 1976-83 due to construction of the dam large sections of the forests were cleared. This sanctuary consists of watershed areas of Kunumali and Mupliyam encircled by the hills. A part of the sanctuary lies adjacent to Pechi- Vazhani wildlife sanctuary and other part to Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. Nature observers can roak themselves completely in the tranquility of the place and it is haven for a variety of wildlife. The pristine beauty of the surroundings compared to that of the Ernakulam Town really bolvled us our. After resting and refreshing ourselves we directly got into the formal inauguration of the camp. Dr. Ajay Kumar the forest officer in charge welcomed us to the green paradise. He told us in general about what to expect in the place. He said that a great variety of plants and animals live in the area in joyful abandon. All kinds of animals ranging from leopards, tigers, elephants, bears, wild bisons are found. The climate is salubrious and the vegetation includes 10 Sq. Km of evergreen forests, 15 Sq. Km of semi evergreens and 40 Sq.km of leaf shedding forests. the main trees in Ever green forests include - Vetti, Pali, Punna, anjili, white pine marotti. Semi evergreens has – Manja kadambu, Pongu , manimarutha . Leaf shedding forests includes – Pala, Venga, Karmarunna. He told us about the rare endemic orchids and butterflies found in the region. He introudded us to an active environmental activist . P.K. Dharmarajan who has dedicated his activities for forest conservation. He began the talk by telling us that the purpose of the visit should be to know nature and enjoy life. His speech reflected on the tradition of India and its closer relation with nature. Even 5000 years ago people in India knew that non biodegradable wastes should not be deposited in the social and this is stated clearly in the 8th chapter of Manusmrithi. It amazed us that even at that time people knew how to dispose off the waste compared to the technologically advanced modern times. He also gave us a detailed account of how plants change the atmosphere around them. He took the example of five plants to explain this. The first plant taken was ‘Aegle marmelos’ or Koovalam in local language. Traditionally it is used as an offering to Lord Siva and its ability to absorb toxins form the human body has been a long known fact. The second plant Aloe vera known to absorb the toxins from the atmosphere. The third plant is Tulsi called the ‘Queen of Herbs’ one of the most sacred herbs of India. It is revered in India for over 5000 years as a healing balm for the body mind and spirit and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits. Tulsi has been eulogized in Indian culture. The forth plant mentioned was Ficus religiosa Ficus India, its tree canopy has provided the much needed resting place, a place for discussions and gossips. It has been a true representative of Indian tradition. It is known to purify air and increase the amount of oxygen in air,. The fifth plant discussed was Neem. In Sanskrit neem has been called the Arishtha or reliever of sickness. It is believed that planting a need tree in the house is an ensured passage to heaven. He emphasized on the need to respect even the lowest of creation The second session of the talks resumed aftr a breasdk . IOn this session he told us that the basic need for all brings is to love and be loved. This is the need that makes the world go around. With a beautiful example of JC Bose and his experiments with touch me not he told us that tven plants respond to our emotions and pacify us in our sorrows. His final message that each being in this world serves a purpose made us think about the bounty and harmony of nature in its true sense. Day I ended with a general evaluation of the camp and as we prepared for bed the jungle sounds lulled us to a peaceful sleep.
Day 2 13-2-2010
The second day started of quite early and by about 6.00 O'clock in the morning all of us were ready and raring to go out into nature. We were taken to witness sunrise and for many of us who had not bothered to get up early it was indeed a new and rejuvenating experience. We were made to sit outside and were asked to close our eyes. The twittering of the birds, the gentle breeze, the early morning calmness lifted our spirits and when we opened our eyes slowly the sun was rising above the horizon and the orange, yellow and golden colours were running a riot in the sky a heavenly plain above you awakening life. Golden ray threads began to appear and the sun radiated from the sky of a flawless blue. We realized that there is nothing in the world like seeing a new day dawning.
After a quick morning walk and breakfast we were all set to trek the forest floor. The 40 of us all dressed for the occasion and well equipped for a long trek started off and each step of the way was highly educational. Two of the locals accompanied us as they were very familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. They explained to us many details about each flora and fauna that we came across. The differtn species that we encountered include the lianas climbers that had the capacity to store large amounts of water . The Koli phenomenon where a parasitic plant suffocates the host to death by encircling around it. The various plant successions, the death and degradation on one side and birth on the other, butterfly roots etc. etc. The intrinsic and natural balance and rhythm was evident every step of the way ands it made us realize how insignificant man is. The guide told us that all the designs and innovations has been the result of observation of nature. The trek took us into the lap of nature which was a very humbling expertise. Our egos just crumbled and we realize how small were truly ate when we look up into the star studded clear sky lying on the rocky slopes. Our five senses if not six slowly attune to the forests where it will not only sight but also the different sounds of the forest, the feel of stiff breeze on your skin, the smash that contributed to the whole. The trek also build up a sense o team work and it brought us into contact with an array of people. The importance of silence in the jungle and to always keep in view ones partner both in the front and behind, not to litter the forest with plastics was all leant. The first trek was tough going and some of us felt a small difficulty in catching up but all of us managed well. There is no way we could estimate number of kilometers covered and the forest distance is better measured in time. There are no animals sited. But elephant dung and trails and pugmarks of different animals like wild bison, tigers were everywhere. The skeletons of deer were also seen. We spotted a snake hanging form the branches enjoying an afternoon nap which was duly photographed. There was an area where thousands of butterflies were hovering around and that topo was systematically captured in our lenses. After we came back from the trek at about 4.00 O’clock, there was a small quiz competition and after which by about 5’)clock we set out to the Chimminy reservoir. The Chimminiy reservoir is a Nabard assisted oproject under RIDF. The masonry dam has a height of about 52.82 m and the bed level is 26.38 m MSL. total length of the spill sway is 47.50m. After enjoying the features of the dam and understanding its details we began to backward trek to our base camp. After our return there was a small talk on forest fire. by Mr. Murali. There was also a video presentation on the different animals found in the area which reduced our self pity of not being able to spot any live animal during the trek. The day ended with the presentation of cultural progeammes. The perogamnes ranged from Ottamthullal to skits, dances and songs filled the air and laughter and enjoyment seemed to be the dominant mood.
Day 3 14-2-2010
The last day of the camp started of as usual with the sunrise and viewing and morning walk. Finally all the members were grouped into four and we were asked to air our views as to the trek, scope for improvement etc. Everyone was upbeat and all praise for the organizers. The prizes for best camper, photographer, quiz competitions, best team were given out . Release of the newspaper and a farewell speech concluded the three day eventfull camp. There was a cleaning operation during which we cleaned the surroundings and burnt all the wastes.
As we stepped into our buses and bid farewell we couldn’t help thinking abut the awe inspiring all powerful and dangerous beauty of nature. Discovering this idyllic place, we found ourselves filled with an yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty our whelms ….As we sit silently on the return journey we sing to ourselves the songs of nature that rebate in our minds .
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