KOCHI: The 26-member student team from SBOA Public (senior secondary) School, South Chittoor, here, still cannot fathom the excitement they underwent encountering Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeyanicus) in Agasthyarkoodam during their recent trip to the verdant forests.
The herb was introduced by the Kani tribe to the scientists on their trek to Agasthyarkoodam in the Western Ghats in the late 80s.
The students belonging to Class XII biology batch had a great three-day nature camp at Kottoor Agasthyavanam Biological Park Range at Kappukadu, in Thiruvananthapuram, which was supported by the forest department.
"The sheer sight of this herb and its detailing by our guide Rajan Annan, native of Kappukadu and a Kani tribe, filled us with emotion as we came to know that India has patented this herb," said Reny Daniel, biology teacher, who is the eco club coordinator of the school.
"We were welcomed by a herd of half-tamed wild elephants at Kappukadu. We came to know that these elephants were rescued from the forest after they were abandoned by their herd if they had an incurable disease or genetic disorder," said Calvin K.B, one of the budding environmentalists among the students. "The Kottoor rehabilitation centre has 10 mature elephants and five calves. The youngest calf 'Manu' is just 8-months-old who was always seen playing and eating," said Calvin.
"We had a rare sight of the elephants bathing and feeding the next day morning. Next was the elephant parade. The 12 girls and the 14 boys in the group really enjoyed it all," said Calvin.
"Rajan Annan introduced us to many trees and plant species endemic to Agasthyarkoodam range in the trekking to Neyyar through the deep forest next day. The deer and crocodile parks were on the way. We could feel the freshness and the pure air going deep into our cells and rejuvenating them. A ride in the Neyyar river in a raft was equally rejuvenating," said Cissy Chandi, the accompanying teacher.
"The Neyyar dam which overflowed during the last flood was now half-filled which damped our spirits." said Arya Vinod, a student. "But that made us think of climate change and resolute to conserve our Western Ghats," she said.
