Muskan Kumari, the president of the Nature Club at St Joseph Vaz College in Cortalim, was thrilled to attend April Cool Day on campus.
Muskan, who was part of the event, shares, "Did you know that Goa has more than 400 species of birds, but we are only familiar with around 15-20 of them? I never gave a thought to how they cope with the summer season. With the current humidity levels, it's essential to keep a bowl of water for them to bathe and cool off. This realisation is something I gained from attending the April Cool Day event."
To educate the younger generation about the importance of caring for animals and birds during the summer season, the Botany department of St Joseph Vaz College, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Madgao Midtown, organized April Cool Day instead of April Fool's Day.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, assistant professor at the college, emphasised the importance of teaching students about nature and how to care for birds and other animals during summers. He suggested that ideas such as creating a bird bath, filling water, and identifying suitable locations for them should be explained to students.
Fr Bolmax also provided detailed instructions on how to create a bird bath. According to him, the bath should be 2-3 inches deep and hold 4-5 litres of water. "It should be placed in a shaded area, away from any human interference. Metallic material should be avoided, as it tends to heat the water under the sun, and the reflection from metal can keep birds away. Clay or recycled plastic are the best materials for creating a bird bath. It's advisable to change the water every 2-3 days. Additionally, some grains for feeding birds and fruits could be kept nearby for their nourishment," he said.
Varad Parob, a first-year BSc student at the college, expressed his gratitude for the practical learning opportunity.
He mentioned, "We learned practical ways to support the local avian population. It's a fulfilling experience that empowers individuals to make a positive impact on their community."
The April Cool Day has inspired Anezia Barreto, a first-year BSc student, to to do her bit for the feathered friends. She is making arrangements to install a bird bath at home.
“I realised that birds too face problems during summer and that we can help them by introducing a bird bath at our homes. Now that I know the dos and don’ts of introducing a bird bath, I will implement it at home.
Initiatives like these bring about change and make the world a better place for both humans and its ecosystem.
