Human chain to protect urban forest in Kalamassery

KOCHI: A group of nature lovers under the banner of Green Grace would create a human chain at the 'green lung' of Kalamassery - the wooded area spread over 72 acres on the Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) campus - at 4pm on Friday. The event is being organized as part of the global climate strike action to protect biodiversity.
According to organizers, the urban canopy, which is home to scores of bird species and rich in biodiversity, is facing grave threats.
"We are trying to have student participation for the programme. Our plan is to organize a human chain to symbolically protect the site," said Cochin Natural History Society (CNHS) secretary Vishnupriyan Kartha.
"There has been many wildfires in HMT Estate in recent time necessitating intervention of fire force, and people have to exercise caution while working there," he said.
As per a survey undertaken by birders, close to 180 bird species have been spotted in the area. Recorded number of plant species is 65. Around 74 species of butterflies, including state butterfly Papilio buddha, can be found here. Around six species of mammals and 35 types of spiders have also been identified.
The Kerala forest department has recognized the bird diversity of Kalamasssery by releasing a poster mentioning 191 species of birds, including many endangered species.
Green Grace had earlier produced a documentary 'Urban Canopy', which documented the rich biodiversity of the area. CNHS had earlier written to HMT general technical manager requesting them to take steps for conserving the urban forest-like green cover on its Kalamassery campus.