As part of RID 3212’s district project, Saving Biodiversity, RCs Sivakasi Town and Rajapalayam Super Kings joined hands to distribute eco-friendly cloth bags to devotees visiting the Lord Sundara Mahalinga Swamy Temple on Sathuragiri Mahalinga Hills, located on the Western Ghats near Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu. Virudhunagar district collector Sukhaputhra and Megamalai Tiger Reserve deputy director Devaraj Palanisamy inaugurated the project.
Each year, thousands of pilgrims visit the hill temple on Aadi Amavasya day. But they litter the pristine forest area with single-use plastic and other waste, thus polluting the land and endangering the lives of wild animals as they consume such non-biodegradable waste thrown casually by devotees. “While distributing cloth bags, Rotarians urged the devotees not to litter the hills, and also removed the plastic litter and other discarded stuff piled up on the path to the temple,” said Balamurugan, news coordinator of RID 3212. The district collector made a plea for protecting the environment, especially the forests and scenic hills, from pollution through plastic and other hazardous waste.
RID 3212 clubs have taken up diverse projects across the focus areas of Rotary, as directed by their DG Dhinesh Babu. RC Rajapalayam Super Kings have planted saplings at the Government Arts College with club president Karthikeyan and college principal Saravanan leading the greening mission.
An eye check-up camp was held at Keezhputhalam village by RC Kuzhithurai in partnership with Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital, thus benefitting hundreds of elders who do not have access to medical care. Wheelchairs were donated to the Government Hospitals by RCs Yarn City Nagercoil and Srivilliputtur Town to facilitate easy mobility of patients between wards and departments. To mark International Plastic Free Day (May 25), members of RC Ramnad distributed cloth bags to the public and created awareness on the need to avoid single-use plastic in their lives.
Members of RC Virudhunagar hosted an awareness event for students against drug abuse at the Kamarajar Engineering College. A school student from an underpriviliged family was given financial assistance during the installation of new office-bearers at the RC Golden City Nagercoil.