PROFILES: GREEN HABITAT GURUVAYUR, KERALA
JAMES N.J.
Executive Director, Green Habitat Guruvayur, Pavaratty.P.O., Thrissur district, Kerala, India
Email: greenhabitatguruvayoor@gmail.com
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The organisation “Habitat” was formed in 2001 by a group of high school science teachers in Guruvayur. These individuals decided to further extend their activities for the conservation of the environment and thus evolved a branch “Green Habitat” in 2002 which subsequently became an independent organisation. The organisation pilots activities for wildlife and environmental conservation in Chavakkad taluk in Kerala. Our areas of focus include the mangroves of Chettuwai, nesting turtles of Chavakkad beach, birds of Enamakkal Kole lands and house sparrows, among others. A major part of our efforts towards conservation is directed towards environmental awareness and education among local communities in the area.
We work hand in hand with local bodies and local self-government institutions like the Mullassery Block Panchayath, Pavaratty Grama Panchayath, Chavakkad municipality, Seethi Sahib V.H.S.School, Edakkazhiyur, Open Scout Group of Enammakal, and various voluntary and other local clubs. The community readily accepts and acknowledges our activities.
Activities:
Our main activities include:
1. Protection to nesting turtles and eggs during the nesting season at Chavakkad. In 2010, following the completion of ten years of the establishment of the organisation, we started the Kadalamakale Samrashikkuka (or “Save
the sea turtles”) programme.
2. Planting and protection of mangroves in the backwaters of Pavaratty – we have thus far planted twelve thousand seedlings.
3. Protection of common sparrows – we built and distributed 50 nests and guarded them during January and December 2010.
The organisation currently consists of ten members. We organise our awareness and other programmes in collaboration with other organisations and institutions like schools, colleges and local youth clubs. Our turtle conservation programme is run primarily in collaboration with the Seethi Sahib V.H.S. School in Edakkazhiyur. The school’s National Green Corps members are our main volunteers, some of whom are also our associate members. A majority of these members belong to the local fishing community. Through their involvement in our activities, we are able to reach out to the local community at large.
Plans for the future:
Having gained recognition in the area and being successful in involving local communities, we would like to extend our current activities to include the following:
- Establishing a hatchery at the Chavakkad beach area and setting up a turtle exhibition centre.
- Involving local communities and government agencies in making the beach in Thrissur district ‘turtle friendly’.
- Establishing a nursery for mangroves and facilitating the collection of saplings from various sites.
Role within the network (TAG):
Green Habitat became part of the Turtle Action Group in 2010. As part of this network, we seek general guidance and assistance with the design and execution of turtle conservation programmes. We now also have the opportunity to interact with other organisations, visit their eld sites and discuss common issues and potential solutions.
Contact information:
Mr. James N.J., Executive Director, Green Habitat Guruvayur.
Postal address:
Green Habitat, Guruvayur, Pavaratty.P.O., Thrissur district, Kerala, India
Phone: 0487 2640055, 9605580981
Email: greenhabitatguruvayoor@gmail.com