1 week ago
Seed Rakhis Promote Mangrove Conservation Ahead of Raksha Bandhan
Forest officials are teaching girls to make special rakhis from plant seeds.
These rakhis are friendly to nature because they can break down naturally.
The rakhis may look like trees, birds, butterflies or teddy bears.
After the festival, the seeds can be planted in soil and may grow into plants.
On Raksha Bandhan, the girls will tie rakhis to mangrove trees.
This shows that they want to protect mangroves, wildlife and the coast.
They will also tie rakhis to forest workers to thank them for their service.
The workers will give the girls native saplings to plant and care for.
Forest officials in Kakinada district are promoting biodegradable seed rakhis to teach schoolgirls about forest and wildlife conservation.
Girls visiting Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary are being trained to make rakhis shaped like trees, butterflies, birds and teddy bears.
The rakhis use seeds from native species including bamboo, rosewood, usiri, rela and maredu.
On August 28, girls will tie the rakhis to mangrove trees and forest personnel as symbols of protection and appreciation.
Officials will give native saplings to the girls, while mangrove propagules will be provided for planting in selected areas including Chollangi.
- Who
- Forest officials, schoolgirls, families visiting Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and frontline forest personnel.
- What
- A programme is training girls to make seed rakhis and use them to promote forest, wildlife and mangrove conservation.
- Where
- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Kakinada district, including selected areas such as the Community Based Eco-Tourism Project and Chollangi.
- When
- The activities are planned ahead of and on Raksha Bandhan, August 28.
- Why
- To raise conservation awareness among young students and encourage protection of mangroves, wildlife and the coastal environment.
Key facts
- Programme theme
- “Raksha Bandhan – A Bond of Protection for Forests and Wildlife; Tie a Rakhi Today, Grow a Tree Tomorrow.”
- Rakhi materials
- Natural, biodegradable materials and seeds from native fruit-bearing and forest species.
- Rakhi designs
- Trees, butterflies, birds and teddy bears.
- Mangrove activity
- Girls will tie seed rakhis to selected mangrove trees in a designated area.
- Conservation pledge
- Participants will pledge to protect mangroves, wildlife and the coastal environment.
- Return gifts
- Forest personnel will present native saplings for the girls to plant and nurture in schools with permission.
- Named official
- Kakinada district forest officer (Territorial) N. Ramachandra Rao.
Quotes
N. Ramachandra Rao
Kakinada district forest officer (Territorial)
“We are planning to inculcate the spirit of conservation and protection of forests and wildlife among young students by training them to prepare seed-rakhis and tying them to the mangrove plants and forest personnel on Raksha Bandhan festival. This would enable them to bond with nature.”
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