Chennai: “In spite of all the technological advancements, traditional wisdom is eventually important,” said Mr M.S. Swaminathan, founder of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), here on Friday.He was speaking at the release of the book, Beyond Tsunami, that speaks of the role of science and initiatives taken by scientists post-tsunami, on the 10th anniversary of the killer tsunami of 2004.
Principial chief conversator of the Tamil Nadu forest department, Mr S. Balaji, who received the first copy of the book from Madras University vice-chancellor, Prof R. Tandavan,reiterated that “Mr M.S. Swaminathan‘s suggestions and initiatives to restore the mangroves as bio-shields against tsunami was one of the most significant steps in the rehabilitation process.”
There was a real-life example from a villager from Pichavaram, Mr L. Nagamuthu. He said, “Only seven people were killed in our village due to the tsunami. There was no big damage to our village because of the mangroves, which acted as a protective shield for us. But, we didn’t know of their importance and continued depleting them by fishing. If not for MSSRF’s intervention, we would have continued to do so.”
Explaining how they regained their lives due to invervention by MSS RF, after having lost everything to the tsunami, Kanakavalli of Sadras Kuppam said, “We were able to set up and successfully run a poultry farm. Apart from that we are also involved in mushroom cultivation.” A docu drama, We Shall Overcome, vividly portraying the works taken up by MSSRF after the tsunami was screened.
