KTU 'tag' team committed to ensuring survival of saplings on campuses

THE practice of planting saplings takes on a customary colour, especially at functions around Environment Day. It has become so routine that there are even jokes circulating about how many times the same pit plays host to a sapling every year.

- ANU KURUVILLA @Kochi

But, when it comes to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, however, things are very different. Kerala Technical University (KTU), as the institution is commonly called, keeps track of every plant that has been planted, not only on its campus but also at its affiliated colleges. The university has gone about keeping track of trees by tagging each one of them. And, it has tagged more than 15,000 trees.

Speaking to TNIE, Darsana S Babu, state coordinator, Natural Resource Protection Force (NRPF), says, "The project was started under NRPF, a flagship initiative of the university's NSS cell. Under NRPF, NSS volunteers are mobilised for the conservation and protection of natural resources. We have launched various initiatives under the programme." One such initiative is called Thanal, she adds.