IDEAL JAWADHU
The IDEAL Jawadhu project launched during June 2023 in Chennai as a joint project where 3 clubs, RC Chennai Mitra, RC Alandur and RC Chennai Akshaya have taken the lead with the District Environment and Literacy teams of RID3232 and Indigenous and Frontier Technology Research Centre (IFTR), Chennai took off in great style on July 2, 2023 in Jawadhu Hills.
The context setting meeting was held at the Forest Higher secondary School at Jamunamarathur attended by around 150 people, made up of Rotarians, Forest Department officers and staff, members from Indigenous and Frontier Technologies Research Center, AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre, Kalvi Shakthi, AT&T Believes (the volunteering arm of AT&T), Goodera, local farmers and the school staff. The Chief Guest was Mr Vinoth Raj, Asst Conservator of Forests and Guest of Honor was Rtn A N Rajasekaran, Chair CSD 23-24, Dist 3232. Rotary was represented by Sai from Mitra (Dist Chair Literacy), Dr Irulandi from Alandur (Dist Chair Environment), Dr. S. Seshadri of Chennai Akshaya (Addl Chairman, Environment), Dist Chair CSD, A N Rajasekaran and 7 members from RC Polur (including the current President and an AG of Dist 3231).
As part of the programme, 274 lamps sponsored by AT&T were distributed for tribals in 3 hamlets viz. - Melcheppili, Keelchepuli, & Melvilamuchi.
Hybrid pearl millet seeds provided by Shri AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai were distributed to the tribal farmers. A total of 140 farmers received @90 kg of seeds in Mel vilamuchi, Mandaparai, and Vazhthombai. This is an attempt to reduce the iron deficiency problem which is commonly noticed among the women folk and children in these villages.
Four Forest Middle Schools in Vazakkadu, Puliyur, Melpattu, and Kilvilamuchi received Digital Screens as part of the Digital Literacy Programme. Kalvi Shakthi will offer contents to be screened daily to the achool students.
Rtn. Dr Irulandi, RC Alandur (Chairman, Environment), Rtn. Saiseshan, RC Chennai Mitra (Chairman, Literacy) and Dr Seshadri, RC Chennai Akshaya (Addl Chairman, Environment)
visited a few Villages and Tribal Forest Schools in Jawadhu hills and met the Forest Schools Tribal Students and taught them about learning Environment related lessons in participating in Kitchen Gardens forming in the School Campus.
Farmers in the hills were enlightened about the benefits of adding Biochar in their Agriculture Lands for enriching the soil quality and reducing chemical fertilizers use in agriculture. This is one of the easily adaptable Climate Resilient Agriculture Practices which will not only improve the Environmental Condition but also help to increase the agriculture Productivity.
Discussions were held on 26th with the Forest Ranger from Melpattu and on 27th with the Forest Ranger from Jamunamarathur on next steps and support required from them.
An official from the Agriculture department has also promised to extend support for our initiatives in Jawadhu.
The Panchayat head in whose jurisdiction 2 villages that will benefit from the solar initiative was also met. He thanked the Rotary team for the solar lamps given and said the children are very happy that they could study when the power went off during the rains.