A bus evoking green thoughts

Eco concerns:Forest Minister Benoy Viswom flagging off the ‘Rahma Green Messenger’ bus from the mofussil bus stand in the city on Monday.

Kozhikode: With the monsoon just a few weeks away, it’s an eco-campaign with a difference. An ordinary bus has been transformed into a piece of forest with huge trees, wild rivulets and massive rocks sculpted on the outer body. Inside, the bus is turned into a home theatre ready to screen videos urging viewers to save the earth by planting trees and conserving rain water. It also has a plethora of similar messages displayed in different forms calling upon the spectators to do something for the earth with great urgency.

With an amused crowd watching the unusual ‘bus’ on the road all set to roll on, Forests Minister Benoy Viswom flagged off the ‘Rahma Green Messenger’ mobile exhibition bus on the premises of the Mofussil bus stand on Monday morning.

The exhibition, which is aimed at spreading the message of water conservation and environmental protection, is part of a six-month long eco-campaign organised by Rahma, a social service project recently launched by a collective of earth-lovers, philanthropists and community leaders.

The Green Messenger, which will travel across six districts of Malabar, will stop at several points in all these districts and let the public watch DVDs and slide-shows on water conservation and environmental awareness.

“Sending a message of water conservation to save our earth from an acute drinking water shortage is one of the main objectives of our campaign,” said a Rahma member.

Precious rain water

On an average, Kerala receives 3,000 mm rain annually, which is well above the national average. “But we are able to save only five per cent of it and the rest ends up in the sea in no time,” he said.

Studies have found that around 30 per cent of the rain water can be conserved if people take effective measures. “The Green Messenger is out to spread this valuable message to all,” he said.

According to the organisers, the Green Messenger will be given receptions by environmental activists and socio-cultural organisations in all the districts.

Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/11/stories/2010051156020300.htm

Courtesy
The Hindu