Students and Self Help Group (SHG) leaders from Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu marched 2.3 km to raise awareness on protection and nurturing of water bodies and create awareness on abolishing non-recyclable plastic on July 7, 2017.

Flagged off by the Cuddalore District Sub Collector Mr. Johny Tom Varghese, the rally started from Jawan Bhavan to St.Joseph’s College Campus carried sign boards with slogan  highlighting importance of protection of water bodies and nature.

Organised by Pondicherrry Multipurpose Social Service Society (PMSSS), South Arcot Multipurpose Social Service Society (SAMSSS) and St.Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, 103 SHG leaders and 867 students marched to support the cause.

Addressing the gathering at St.Joseph College, Dr. John Arokiaraj, State Officer of Caritas India shared about the Udhayam – ECO DRR programme and how students can be partners in environment advocacy efforts.

“Cuddalore is exposed to multiple hazards and since 2004, the district has experienced Tsunami (2004), Cyclone Thane (2011), Cyclone Nisha, Floods (2015) and drought (2017). Therefore, it becomes imperative that the people of Cuddalore in particular become climate adaptive and be prepared to face the disasters and take efforts in mitigating the impacts” he said.

Advocating for the vulnerability analysis, Dr. John said it will help in appropriate planning and adequate management of vulnerability with stakeholders’ involvement, that would result in significant risk reduction besides improving the coping capacity of vulnerable community.

Over the years of analysis by Caritas India has brought out issues of  shift in ownership of management of natural resources, decline in the  health of watershed, land alienation of  the people  in the name of development, land degradation in terms of  soil infertility and low productivity , decreasing / diminishing green cover, reduction of bio-diversity, contamination and depletion of ground water , increasing quantum of plastic waste,  extreme drought situation and depletion of animal population / livestock reasons behind this imbalance.

Dr. John said, these issues were addressed in a piece meal approach and the realization has come to respond through a comprehensive strategy. Public need to be adequately educated about the ill effects of the irrational use of natural resources.

He suggested student community can take the leadership of environmental protection to the communities with commitment. Desilting of water bodies, removal of encroachments and correction of water ways, researching and promotion of innovative water conservation measures and tree plantation are some areas where they can immediately pay attention to. Student community needs to advocate assured equity and universal access to land and water resources which will lead to enhanced quality of life of the poor and vulnerable.

NSS, Red Cross, Road Safety Patrol and Guides Student participants said that it was a valuable and motivating experience to them. The overall co-ordination of the march was done by NSS co-ordinator, Mr. Santhanaraj under the guidance of Fr. Peter Rajendran, the Correspondent of St. Joseph College.