Government Arts and Science College Kozhinjampara
Nature Club
Activity Report 2022 – 23
Nature club was constituted in our college in order to create awareness among the students about the importance of preservation and conservation of our nature and environment. Nature club teaches students to love their mother nature and conserve the resources in it. The Club provides awareness on global environmental challenges and developing remedial measures for the problems. The major objectives of the club are:
- To provide environmental education opportunities for college students about the major issues threatening our environment.
- To utilize the enormous man power present in the college to transform the campus into a clean and environment friendly one.
- To motivate the students to plant more trees, to preserve the fresh and green environment.
The club is functioning with 70 students from various disciplines and Mrs, Nimi Narayanan, Assistant Professor in Microbiology as staff co-ordinator. The student co-ordinator of the club is Ms. Akhila C., first year BSc. microbiology.
Awareness class on conservation of nature
Nature Club in association with Aranyakam Nature Foundation, organized an awareness programme for students to inculcate the significance of conservation of our nature on 23 June 2022. Dr. P.S. Easa, Chairperson, Aranyakam Nature Foundation was the chief guest and he delivered a session on” Challenges in biodiversity conservation” and interacted with the students.
Nature Camp at Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary
Nature club organized a two day nature camp at Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, Anappady, Kerala on 01-09-2022 to 02-09-2022. The camp was sponsored by Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department. A total of 33 students accompanied by three faculties, Dr. Sreevidya S., Dr. Senthil N. and Mrs. Nimi Narayanan, participated in the camp. The trip to Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary started from the college by 1.30 pm on 01-09-2022.
By evening, the students reached the destination, Tiger Hall, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. After having tea and refreshment, students visited the Thoonakkadavu Dam. Smt.Thankamani, guide allocated from forest department, belonging to the local tribe, led the team. A night stay in the dormitory, situated in the midst of a forest, was provided by the forest department. Wildlife warden provided the necessary instructions that should be followed while staying in the midst of the forest. Students could observe herds of white spotted deers grazing the nearby areas of the dormitory, in the very early morning.
The second day started with an early morning trekking through the evergreen forests of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife assistant, Mr. Natesan gave a brief summary about the rules and precautions to be taken while entering into the forest and led the team during trekking. The trekking started through moist deciduous forest and after walking 3 kms entered into the evergreen forest. Students were so excited to observe the mixed deciduous and evergreen forests. They were so excited to spot streamlined water bodies inside the deep forest and they could also see different types of birds. Two hours of trekking was really an amazing experience and students could observe nature in their close proximity. In the afternoon, students went for boating in Parambikulam reservoir. Boating is allowed in bamboo rafts and the rafting lasted around 15-20 minutes which offered amazing views of the reservoir and rafting experience. Some animals could also be spotted at a very long distance.
Later on, the beautiful butterfly garden and medicinal plant garden was introduced and described by Ms. Savya, Administrative staff. It helped to develop an idea about types of plants to be maintained in butterfly gardens and the different varieties of butterflies was a spectacular sight to the eyes. They could also observe more than hundred varieties of medicinal plants and Ms. Navya explained the medicinal uses of each plant very patiently. Students assembled at the meeting hall where they could observe miniature models of the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. In an informal meeting, students shared their experiences of nature camp and certificates were delivered to them. By evening, the return trip had started and many animals, like Indian bison (wild gaur), elephant, Sambar deer and spotter deer could observe along the roadside at close proximity.
Cleaning activities at College campus
Nature club members along with the second year Bsc. Microbiology students cleaned the area before the microbiology department on 17/12/2022. Students collected the paper and plastic wastes and also cleaned the area by removing the weed plants.
Setting up the medicinal garden at College campus
Nature club has initiated the process of developing a medicinal garden at the college campus. Medicinal plant gardens primarily aim to cultivate, protect and conserve plants with medicinal properties for educational as well as research activities. As an initial attempt, plantlets of various medicinal plants were collected from neighboring nurseries. Later, student members as well as faculties donated the medicinal plants collected from their locality. 22 varieties of medicinal plants are collected and the club has a plan to collect and cultivate as many medicinal plants as possible. The major aim of the medicinal garden is not only to collect and conserve the medicinal plants, but also to create awareness among students about our rich traditional knowledge of ayurvedic medicines.
| Sl.No. | Common Name | Scientific Name | ||
| English | Malayalam | Tamil | ||
| 1 | Aloe Vera | Kattar vazha | Katrazhai | Aloe barbadensis |
| 2 | Indian Borage | Panikkorkka | Karpooravalli | Coleus aromaticus |
| 3 | Sal leaved Desmodium | Orila | Pulladi | Desmodim gangeticum |
| 4 | Curry leaf plant | Kariveppu | Karivepillai | Murraya koenigii |
| 5 | Green chiretta | Kiriyath | Nilavempu | Andrographis paniculata |
| 6 | Long pepper | Thippali | Tippili | Piper longum |
| 7 | Willow-Leaf Justicia. | Vatham kolli | Vadaikkutti | Justicia gendarussa |
| 8 | Prickly chaff flower | Kataladi | Nayurivi | Achyranthes aspera |
| 9 | Licorice weed | Kallurukki | Kallurukki | Scoparia dulcis |
| 10 | Indian nettle | Kuppamani | Kuppaimeni | Acalypha indica |
| 11 | Betel plant | Vettila | Vetrilai | Piper betle L |
| 12 | Little ironweed | Poovamkurunnila | Puvangkuruntal | Cyanthillium cinereum |
| 13 | Lilac tassel flower | Muyalcheviyan | Muyalccevi | Emilia sonchifolia |
| 14 | Turkey berry | Chundanga | Sundaikkai | Solanum torvum |
| 15 | False daisy | Kayyonni | Karisalaang kanni | Eclipta prostrata |
| 16 | Veld grape | Changalam paranda | Perandae | Cissus quadrangularis |
| 17 | Asthma Plant. | Chithirapala | Amupachai arissi. | Euphorbia thymifolia |
| 18 | Malabar Nut | Adalodakam | Adathodai | Justicia adhatoda |
| 19 | Basil | Thulasi | Thiruthuzhai | Ocimum sanctum |
| 20 | Sugar apple | Seethappazham | Sitapalam | Annona squamosa L |
| 21 | Stonebreaker | Keezharnelli | Keelanelli | Phyllanthus niruri |
| 22 | Red-flame Ivy | Murikootti | Strobilanthes alternata | |