Kozhikode: Mangrove protector and ecologist Kallen Pokkudan in his life time could not realise his dream of setting up a mangrove school for the young generation to know and study mangroves, ecology and sustainable life. Now, after two years of his demise, his sons, relatives and green activists have successfully developed a school at Muttukandy near Payangady in Kannur on the banks of Payangadi river.
The students have started visiting the place from across northern Kerala to know the life of Pokkudan and the green lessons he imparted. Yet there are miles to go before a full-fledged school campus as envisaged by Pokkudan can be established. "The mangrove school doesn't mean a building alone. It comprises mangrove, river, the flora and fauna and the life sustenance of all the living beings," says Sreejith Paithalen, son of Kallen Pokkudan, who spearheads the Mangrove Tree Trust which is behind the school.
"We want amenities like comfort station, facility to sit and relax and other arrangements which help students, researchers and common people to know more about mangrove forest, Pokkudan and ecology as a whole," he elaborates. Students who visited the school have come forward promising financial assistance and the organizers are expecting support from the state government and local self-government institutions.
"The school will have a mangrove museum, mangrove nursery, library and open class room. Pokkudan's younger son P. Raghunath is taking classes," said Rupesh Kumar, who is associated with the project.
Kallan Pokkudan's second death anniversary was observed in Kannur on Wednesday. Anthropologist Dr Vineetha Menon, Dr K.S. Madhavan and Prof K. Manoj among others spoke.
