Naithal’, an organization for coastal information conservation and action, was established in the year, 2001. Much earlier a group of youths used to get involved in the environmental issues of the area, with special emphasis on protest against sand mining that was predominantly prevalent in the coastal areas of Kanhangad municipality, and Nileshwar grama panchayaths of Kasaragod District, Kerala. The organization came into being as a result of their interest to give such activities an organized form.

The organization won the battle against sand mining in the area that comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone Act. The tangible consequence of preserving pure drinking water enabled it to get the wholehearted support of the locals. Later, Naithal enhanced its activities by stepping to the turtle conservation programmes, which has now become one of the most important projects. The project area covers 15kms.of the coastal belt of Kanhangad Municipality, Nileshwar Grama Panchayat and Padenna Grama Panchayat of Kasaragod District of Kerala.

It could instill the idea of protecting the biodiversity among the people, who were formerly using turtle eggs as food. We could assemble the public and made them as part of the conservation activities.

The coast is gifted by the arrival of Olive Ridley turtles; it extends from the month of September to March. We patiently wait for our ‘guest’ and when it lays eggs, we collect the eggs. The collected eggs are hatched at hatcheries constructed with the support of Kerala Forest and Wild life Department.

Breaking the existing belief that the egg laying season spans from September to March: In the year 2003¬04, a nest was found in the month of August. The scientists of Zoological Survey of India reported that it is a first ever observed incident in which turtle lay eggs in the month of August.

Last year onwards we are conducting Nature Camps for school, college students and the public of Kasaragod, Kannur and Wayanad Districts. 30 such camps were conducted in which 600 and odd participated.

The camps were unique and a rare experience for the participants. The thrust areas of the camps include ecosystems of the coast, estuaries, river, drinking water, environment etc.

Creating awareness about the need and methods of planting and protecting mangroves and indigenous coastal plants is yet another activity of Naithal.

Naithal has conducted a study on solid waste deposits and encroachment of Nileshwaram River, and the report has handed over to Nileshwar Grama Panchayath. Naithal members also took a major hand in the yearlong burning issue of Endosulfan aerial spray of Kasaragod District.
School children of the area under the banner of ‘Naithal Kids’ are also doing contributory activities in these areas.
Currently following are identified as the main objectives of Naithal:

1 Planting of trees to make green belt.
2 Establishing a research and information Centre for coastal study.
3 Establishing library for research centre.
4 Environmental education.
5 Promotion of Organic farming.
6 Promotion of indigenous fishing.

But The Horror...

But there is a horror that hinders our forward movement and makes us frustrated. The claw of the undergoing tourism project is to stifle us and make our project totally futile and impossible. The constructions of the tourism project at Ozhinhavalappu in Kanhangad Municipality, Kasaragod District by the Chopra group is completely in the turtle nesting site which repels the turtles away from their paradise. So we need the support and backing of the like¬minded people. Kindly contribute your mite by spreading message to preserve the chastity of the coast. We request each and every one of you to appeal the concerned to spare the breading site of the turtles.

Kindly make your appeal to –

1 Chief Minister of Kerala, Trivandrum.
2 Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi
3 Ministry of Forest and Wild Life, Trivandrum, Kerala.
4 District Collector, Kasaragod, Kerala
5 Municipal Chairman, Kanhangad Municipality, Kasaragod, Kerala.
Thanking You
Naithal

If you don’t mind, please send a copy of appeal to us also.
Please contact: email: sudheer_nlr @yahoo.com Tele: 0091 09847768888 (Sudheer)