Three-day Flipper Fest to raise awareness about oceans begins

— Photo: M. Karunakaran

Protecting the seas: (From left) S.P.S. Basra, Commander, Coast Guard (East); Supraja Dharini, Chairperson of the Tree Foundation; and P.M. Belliappa, president, Association of British Scholars, Chennai, at the Flipper Fest in Chennai on Friday.

Chennai: Did you know nearly 200 different species of sea life, including whales, dolphins, seals and turtles die because plastic bags are disposed off in the ocean? Or, for that matter, China saves 37 million barrels of oil each year due to its ban on free plastic bags.

We all love a clean beach but treatment of our seas is pitiable. To know how indifferent the attitude has been towards our coastal belt or how each of us can play a greater role, you need to be part of the Flipper Fest 2008 or at least pay a visit.

Organised by Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, Indian Coast Guard, Association of British Scholars, South Asia Co-Operative Environment Programme, Loyola College, Tree Foundation and Roots and Shoots, the three-day event is a prelude to the coastal clean up day that falls on September 20.

A riot of colours filled the entrance to Birla Planetarium on Friday where school and college students from various institutions are participating. While charts and exhibits on the theme carbon emission reduction and climate change dominated the display by senior secondary school students, children of different age groups were occupied taking part in the on-the-spot painting competition.

Screening of documentaries by well known environmentalists like Shekar Dattatri, Steve Cowan and Barry Schienberg and Wallace J. Nicholas, street play and a quiz competition are some of the other highlights at this year’s Flipper Fest.

According to Supraja Dharini, Chairperson of Tree Foundation, the Flipper festival has picked up momentum over the years. “Last year we had 22 institutions participating, this time we already have 18 school and nine colleges enrolled with us and more have promised to join.”

Inaugurating the event, P.M. Belliappa, president, Association of British Scholars Chennai, said that diversity is a symbol of life change. “Our oceans are facing a disaster as a consequence of irresponsible consumerism. Such programmes should be conducted on a sustained basis,” he said.

S.P.S. Basra, Commander Coast Guard (East) asked students to practice eco-friendly practises. C.K. Sreedharan, Principle Chief Conservator of Forests spoke.