“Jain sites in Madurai region have good connection with Nature and Water resources. A detailed study will be conducted to protect the environment of Arittapatti area, which supplies water abundantly” said Professor Dr.M. Krishnan, Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University, during a Real Time Odyssey with Eco Media Programme to explore Eco Media Literacy and Eco Visioning in Arittapatti held on 21.03.2021.
A Real Time Odyssey with Eco Media – National Level Multi Institutional Web Conferencing Field Programme – 1, for Exploring Eco Heritage of Arittapatti for Eco Media Literacy and Eco Visioning, was jointly organized by Eco Vision Indica, Dept. of Communication, Eco-NEXT Labs, New Delhi and Grassroots Mumbai.
Dr. Pamposh Kumar, Scientist-F/Director, NCSTC, DST Govt. of India, New Delhi presented that protecting Arittapatti is saving the life saving nature of the eco site. An audit of natural resources, investigate ecological balances, bio indicators of eco health are needed for the protection. Knowledge based advocacy is needed for conserving the natural resources of eco sites.
The Co-ordinator of the Online Programme, Dr.S.Nagarathinam, Professor and Head, Dept. of Communication, told that 52 water bodies should be geo-tagged for maintaining the equilibrium of biodiversity, nature and people. The water flow will also be calculated in order to protect the site from future impacts climate change or environmental degradation.
Dr. Shika Dixit, Senior Officer from INCLEAN International, New Delhi to that Arittapatti hillock is 250 M above sea level, which is higher than the average height of Madurai. There is a sudden elevation, This elevation plays an important role in the local ecology, The industrialization and abundant minerals will be a threat to this ecology.
Mr. Ravichandran, Community Leader of Arittapatti Seven Hills Protection Group said that 500 insects were found and 275 bird species were counted. If we protect the area of arittapatti we protect the biodiversity of the area.
The programme was hosted live at the top of the Arittapatti Hillock, and the live remote web conferencing had participants from various states. The Arittapatti Declaration was also released during the programme.