The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi supported by science promoters like Marine Biological Association of India and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, India), and the Petronet LNG organized 10 collective events to promote eco-friendly activities to motive villagers to be a partners in Green Economy drive on June 05, 2012 at Cherai Village in Vypin Island of Kerala, India.

Cherai is a coastal village where the marine ecosystem supports the livelihood of the majority of villagers through a multitude of activities like fishing, aquaculture and tourism. It is important that the negative impacts of these anthropogenic activities are made known through public awareness and participation.

Motivating children to be Builders of Green Village : On June 5th nearly 1,33,000 school children and teachers pledged to conserve and protect nature in their own schools. This is the first mass event in the nation where school children pledge for the environment.

Citizens Pledge : Nearly 400 Citizens vowed to adopt a responsible life style for promoting green economy lead celebrities.

Installation art to promote awareness on proper waste disposal : The impressive 3 m tall monstrous octopus getting a stranglehold on our lives was created by sculptor Mr. Pramod using 125 kg of plastic bottles and litter. The waste that we throw away so casually will become life threatening to us in future was the message conveyed.

Developing a Bio-shield: Mangroves destruction is rampant due to urbanization and on this day 5000 propagules of local mangrove were collected and planted in bio-pouches by villagers for eventual mangrove restoration.

Thematic live painting : Renowned artist and national award winner Mr. T. Kaladharan did a live painting on the theme of green economy in front of children and the public. Hundreds of children participated in a painting competition and prizes were distributed to the best.

Live poem on the theme green economy: National award winning litterateur Mr. Sippi wrote a poem on green economy village and made everybody recite it.

Empowering women for taking up zero-carbon budget aquaculture activity :Women-folk of the village were empowered to take up farming of oysters, a zero carbon aquaculture technology developed by CMFRI.

Awareness on eco-friendly fishing techniques and green technologies : An exhibition of eco-friendly fishing implements and green technologies like rainwater harvesting, vermicomposting, terrace farming, organic manures and weed based products was organsised. This was witnessed by more than 3000 people

Social forestry: Nearly 1000 saplings of common trees were distributed to villagers.

Cycle expedition

One of the villagers, Mr. Dipani, started on a cycling expedition to Goa, nearly 800 km to the north of Cherai Village, spreading the message of green economy to thousands of people enroute.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tiXZZF5jb0&feature=youtu.be