KOCHI: They are concerned about the condition of the environment they live in and are aware that a secure future will not be there unless they themselves take steps to ensure it. It was this realisation that prompted more than 150 students of Govenment Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara here, to take part in the ‘Ente Kulam Ernakulam’ project launched by District Collector M.G. Rajamanicam in association with Anbodu Kochi, a social media-based group, to regain the ponds in the district.
Led by the social initiatives wing of ‘Excel 2016,’ the annual national techno-managerial symposium of the college, the students and a group of volunteers took part in cleaning ponds at Kurumattam, Methala, Nellikuzhy, Pallikkara, Rayamangalam, Vattakkattupady and Vengoor.
The cleaning drive started around 9 a.m. the other day and continued till the evening. The campaign turned successful with the students being able to drive home the need for clean water bodies in all localities. They were also able to convince the local people to stop dumping waste into the ponds, marking the first step towards the conservation of these water bodies.
“We are extremely happy that Excel 2016 could be a part of a noble campaign. Everyone had a fantastic time, and the satisfaction of seeing the ponds clean cannot be expressed in words,” said Fathima Nazrin, the social initiatives head of Excel 2016.
