KOCHI: The need of the hour is to create an awareness on green culture, feels Raju Francis, Assistant Conservator of Forests.The concept of a Green Kochi is not just on growing trees or adding a green tinge wherever possible but also pertains to the conservation of green wealth. There is a need to identify and record the number of trees in our surroundings. The Forest Department, on the basis of a directive of the High Court, had set up a GPS system at the Maravayoor forest belt and recorded the number of trees. It has identified at least 50,000 trees in that belt. The same step can be made of use here. Principals of schools should come forward to count the trees on the school campus. The Public Works Department should identify trees on road sides and vacant areas. Sometimes, trees are cut because of lack of of sensitivity. The department gets several applications asking for permission to cut trees in certain localities. When speaking about green culture, there is also a need to look at the birds and animals that had in the past kept a natural check on pests and rodents. For example, the barn owl in the past used to occupy the tiled roofs of homes. But now there are no tiled homes but only concrete roofs that has left them homeless. The department is planning to use novel measures to educate the public. Same way the corporation and the state government should come together in bringing to reality the concept of a green city.
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