At last, the long-awaited dream had been realized. The Mangrove Nursery of our own.
On the 16th of April, 2022 Mrs Beena Jagadeeshan, Ward Member, Nayarambalam Panchayath inaugurated the Mangrove nursery by planting the first seed into the bamboo pot. Students from various schools and colleges were present to witness the event. Students from Cooperative School of Law, Thodupuzha, HDPY Public School, Andippillikkavu, Moothakunnam, Rajagiri Outreach, Govt. Law College, Ernakulam, participated and planted the seeds in the nursery.
Mangroves are not just for coastal area protection, they help to balance the environmental equilibrium of oceans, which cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and play a crucial role in taking up CO2 from the atmosphere,
Sri K.K. Reghuraj
During the planting, Sri K.K. Reghuraj, Senate Member, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and Farm Superintendent, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies delivered a speech on Mangrove Forests and their Ecological significance. Adv. Saleesh V.G., President, Grassroute delivered a brief intro about the activities of Grassroute. Mr I.B. Manoj, an environmental activist and a member of Grassroute, explained how we initiated the Mangrove Nursery.
The project was started on 5th December 2021, when we transported big bamboo sticks from Uliyannoor, Aluva to Nayarambalam. We could do nothing for the next two months due to the Covid super spread. On the first of February, we restarted the project. In the first phase, we cut the bamboo sticks into small cups. Preparing the mud, silt and manure was the next phase. There were 5-6 volunteers who worked at weekends. By the end of March, most of all works were finished and the nursery was ready to plant.
Types of Mangroves we planted
| # | Common Name | Binomial Name |
| 1 | Loop-root mangrove | Rhizophora mucronata |
| 2 | Oriental mangrove | Bruguiera gymnorrhiza |
The Grassroute Mangrove Nursery is located at Jose C. Vattathara’s residence for the time being. Mr Jose is a Governing Council Member of Grassroute.
Click here to navigate to the Nursery.
One reply on “Grassroute Mangrove Nursery Inaugurated.”
I wish I could be there. Will join for sure in your next programme. It gives us more energy, more hope and what else. Well done team Grassroute. Hats off!