Environment Congress in city from Wednesday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The three-day Kerala Environment Congress starting on August 3 in the city will discuss a host of eco-issues facing the State, including  controversies surrounding Athirappally hydel project, Kinaloor estate and solid waste management. Organised by the Gandhian Studies Centre of the Kerala University, Green Community, Kerala Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and various State Government agencies, the Congress is to be held at the Gandhi Bhavan, Thycaud. On August 3, the Environment Congress will kick off with a ‘Green Walk’ drumming up support for the green cause. On the day, papers will be presented on the environmental importance of sacred groves, the threat posed by indiscriminate exploitation on the environment, a case study on Kuttanad, the Kani tribals and the Agasthya forests, a relook at the Plaachimada issue and the problems in solid waste management. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kannur and Kasargod will be the districts in focus on August 3. August 4 will see papers presented on environmental issues faced by Kerala, pollution of the Adoor Valiyathodu, methods in waste management, solutions to environmental issues, Gandhian techniques in waste disposal, problems caused by plastic wastes, depletion of biodiversity in the eastern villages of Kannur district, quarries and related controversies and environmental issues related to mangroves. The afternoon sessions will discuss issues related to the use of endolsulfan, Athirappally hydel project, the current state of the Ashtamudi Lake and the environmental impact of the Karipur Airport. There will also be a special session on khadi and village industries. The districts in focus on the day will be Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. A Students’ Meet is also planned for the day. August 5, the concluding day of the Environment Congress, will see papers presented on the environmental issues in the Vilappil and Vattiyoorkavu areas of the Thiruvananthapuram district, environment laws, tourism and related environmental issues with special reference to beaches, problems faced by farmers engaged in organic farming, a special session on ‘Green Literature’ and, finally, the concluding ceremony, where the summit resolutions will be announced. Districts in focus on the day will be Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Idukki. A Green Film Festival and an exhibition are also planned in connection with the Environment Congress, the organisers said.