Back Kandal Club
Kandal Club UCC was started with an initiative for ecosystem restoration and mangrove conservation. The club focuses on raising awareness among college students about the importance of mangroves, their ecological significance, and the threats they face. The club plan to organize field visits, seminars, and educational campaigns to inform students about the role of mangroves in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection.
The main objectives of the club includes:
Conservation and Restoration: The club aims at actively participating in mangrove conservation and restoration activities. This can involve organizing mangrove planting events, developing a mangrove seed nursery, conducting clean-up drives in mangrove areas, and collaborating with local conservation organizations to support ongoing restoration efforts.
Advocacy and Policy: The club also aim for advocating stronger policies and regulations to protect mangroves at local, regional, and national levels. Students can raise their voices, engage in campaigns, and collaborate with environmental organizations to advocate for the conservation and sustainable management of mangroves.
Community Engagement: Another important aspect of the club is to engage with local communities living near mangroves which is crucial for effective conservation. The club can collaborate with communities, especially coastal communities and involve them in restoration activities, and support initiatives that promote sustainable livelihood options tied to mangrove conservation.
Networking and Collaboration: The club can foster partnerships and collaborations with other student organizations, environmental clubs, and NGOs working on related issues. Sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences with like-minded groups can amplify the impact of the club’s activities and create a broader network for mangrove conservation.
The objectives of the mangrove club align with the interests and passions of college students, creating opportunities for them to learn, contribute, and make a positive difference in the conservation of mangroves.
About the Logo
The logo showcases a depiction of a mangrove tree with visible roots, which form the letters UCC, hanging from them. The significance lies in emphasizing the conservation of mangroves, as evidenced by the inclusion of their picture.
Club Inauguration
The inauguration function of the Kandal Club (Mangrove Club) was held on 12th April 2023 at TB Ninan Hall, Union Christian College, Aluva. The event marked the official establishment of the club, which aims to create awareness, engage in conservation efforts, and promote sustainable practices for the preservation of mangrove ecosystems. The function brought together enthusiastic college students, faculty members, and environmental experts to celebrate the launch of this important initiative.
The event began with a prayer song and warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the significance of mangroves and the need for collective efforts in their conservation. Distinguished guests, including college authorities, and environmental experts were acknowledged and invited to address the audience.
The inaugural address was given by the most beloved Principal of UC College Dr. M. I. Punnoose wherein he appreciated the efforts of the Kandal club coordinators and gave a beautiful talk on the importance of ecosystem conservation and restoration. He inspired all participants and club members to develop a mangrove seed nursery for about 10,000 seedlings.
This was followed by a short introductory speech by the club coordinator Mr Hanu G Das sharing the vision for the club’s future endeavors. The keynote address was given by the eminent environmental expert Mr. Anandan Pokkuden who keep up the legacy of his Father Kallen Pokkuden – the mangrove man of Kerala. The very famous Kallen Pokkuden also called as Kandal Pokkuden was an Indian environmental activist and writer from Kerala known for his efforts for the protection and proliferation of the mangrove forests in Kerala, since 1989. Mr. Anandan Pokkuden, a very enthusiastic Government School Headmaster inspired the young college students to be the torchbearers of Mangrove restoration.
The official launch of the club happened with a lamp lighting ceremony by the Delegates along with the unveiling of the Club Logo by the most respected Principal Dr. M. I. Punnoose. The club’s mission, objectives, and activities were presented, emphasizing the role of college students in driving positive change. The event organizers extended their gratitude to all participants, for their support in making the inauguration function a success.
The inauguration function of the Mangrove Conservation Club marked a significant milestone in the journey towards raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts. The event successfully brought together diverse stakeholders committed to the preservation of mangroves. It set the stage for the club to undertake various initiatives, engage in research, collaborate with communities, and contribute to the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems. The club’s inauguration function serves as a promising start to an inspiring journey of environmental stewardship among college students.
Club Coordinators: Mr. Hanu G Das, Mr. Dhanush B Danes, Ms. Femi Anna Thomas
Club Inaugural Function by the Delegates, Club Coordinators and students
News report came about the Kandal Club Inauguration at UC College in Mathrubhumi Newpaper dated 14-04-2023
Activity – 1
Event: Guest Lecture on “Ecological importance of Mangroves and its conservation” by Mr. Anandan Pokkuden
Date: 12th April 2023
Location: T B Ninan Hall, UC College, Aluva
Guest Lecture by Mr. Anandan Pokkuden on “Ecological importance of Mangroves and its conservation”. In his lecture he stressed on the key role of mangroves in balancing the ecosystem dynamics, their role in climate change mitigation, and the urgent need to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems. The lecture provided valuable insights into the current challenges facing mangrove ecosystems and highlighted potential solutions for addressing them. He also inspired the crowd by describing about the activities of his father Late Kallen Pokkuden aka Kandal Pokkuden and about his vision of planting mangroves all along the Kerala coast and even in the inland areas. Students had the opportunity to interact with the environmental expert on future club initiatives and restoration measures.
Guest Lecture on “Ecological importance of Mangroves and its conservation” by Mr. Anandan Pokkuden
Activity – 2
Event: MoU with the Kallen Pokkudan Mangrove Tee Trust
Date: 08th May 2023
Location: Manager’s room, UC College, Aluva
UC College entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kallen Pokkudan Mangrove Tee Trust, to establish a partnership for the creation and management of a Mangrove Club on 08/05/2023. The MOU solidifies their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices, particularly in the preservation of mangrove ecosystems. By joining forces, UC College and the Kallen Trust aim to raise awareness about the importance of mangroves, organize educational initiatives, and implement conservation projects to safeguard these unique habitats for future generations.
MoU signed between UC College and Kallen Pokkudan Mangrove Tee Trust
Logo of Kallen Pokkudan Mangrove Tee Trust
Activity – 3
Event: “Oru Kalalayam Kandal Nattu Thudangunnu” (Meaning: A campus starting to plant Mangroves via Mangrove seed collection and nursery development)
Date: 12th May 2023
Location: T B Ninan Hall, UC College, Aluva
Mangrove forests are vital coastal ecosystems that provide numerous ecological benefits. To actively engage college students in mangrove conservation, a seed collection activity and nursery development initiative was undertaken at Union Christian College Aluva by the Kandal Club UCC. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about mangroves, promote hands-on involvement, and contribute to the restoration of degraded mangrove habitats.
Prior to the seed collection activity, a planning phase was conducted involving faculty members, environmental experts, and student volunteers. Guidelines and protocols for seed collection were established, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices.
Student volunteers embarked on field excursions to nearby mangrove areas, guided by faculty members Mr. Hanu G Das and Ms. Femi Anna Thomas along with experienced mentor Mr. Anandan Pokkuden and a Research Scholar from CUSAT, Ms. Ardra Appukuttan. These excursions allowed participants to observe and learn about various mangrove species, their adaptations, and their ecological significance. During the excursions, students actively collected mature and healthy mangrove seeds while adhering to ethical collection practices that ensure minimal impact on the natural environment. Seeds were collected from the Mangrove species Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora mucrunata, and plant saplings of Acanthus ilicifolius, a mangrove associate was also collected.
After the collection, students gathered to process the collected seeds. This involved cleaning, sorting, and categorizing the seeds based on species and viability. Seeds were carefully examined, discarding any damaged or immature ones to ensure the best chances of successful germination. The seeds were further transferred to grow bags with mud and compost to ensure the germination.
The Nursery Development activities are in progress wherein a dedicated space within the college campus will be allocated for the establishment of a mangrove nursery. The area will be prepared with appropriate soil, containers, and irrigation facilities to provide optimal growing conditions.
Students will be actively involved in setting up the nursery infrastructure, including constructing shade structures, arranging seedbeds and bamboo pots, and organizing labeling systems for different mangrove species. The processed seeds will be sown in suitable bamboo containers or seedbeds within the nursery. Adequate watering, monitoring of temperature and humidity, and protection from pests and diseases will be ensured to facilitate successful germination and healthy growth.
The nursery served as a learning hub, providing opportunities for students to observe and understand the growth stages of mangroves firsthand.
Field Trip
Mangrove seedlings transferring to growbags carried out along with the help of NCC cadets
A mangrove seedling handed over to Major K.S. Narayanan Sir, NCC Officer (SD Boys), UC College
Download the full report here: KANDAL-CLUB-UCC-Report.pdf (50 downloads)
