A team of 200 members including staff of Aster Medcity and members of Ben’s Aquatic Sports & Nature Club & Pelican Foundation collected plastic debris from the Periyar river covering 10 km. The lean-up program started at Aster Medcity and concluded at the High Court Jetty. This practice will continue on all second Saturdays every month.
Suresh Gopi in his inaugural address said “development should not anyway go against nature. The recent major natural calamities are the result of man’s unreasonable destruction of God given nature. The protection of nature is a right of our future generation.”
Speaking on the occasion C R Neelakandan, Writer, Political & environmental activist emphasized the need for protection of nature as prim impotence today. He also called for people participation for the great initiative.
Amala Paul, Film Artist called for involvement of all sections of the society in the movement for plastic free rivers and protection of our environment.Speaking on the need for a ‘Plastic Free Periyar’, Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO, Aster Medcity said“Modern medical system should tap the healing power of our pristine nature. The nature should be preserved in all its purity for man’s survival” In addition to the clean up drive, this initiative for a plastic free Periyar named ‘Let’s treat Mother Nature well!’, will also work towards creating awareness on the ecological impact of littering water bodies.
The inauguration function was attended by several dignitaries including Abrham Oommen ,Director of Finance Kochi Metro Rail Limited; Muhammed Y Safirulla, Hibi Eden, MLA; Naushique P. P., Director, Aster DM Healthcare; C. N. Manoj, Pelican Foundation; C R Neelakandan, Writer, Political & environmental activist, Dr. Harish Pillai, CEO Aster Medcity & Cluster Head - Kerala, AsterDM Healthcare. Benny Kuttikkal, Bens Aqatic Sports & Natures Club and Ms Soni Cheeku. Cheranelooor Panchayath President.
