History
Viswadarsanam, the Centre for Humanity and Nature, was founded by Umesh Babu in the tiny village of Nariyapuram, Pathanamthitta District in Kerala, South India on 5th June, 1987, World Environment Day. Feny Land, where the centre is situated, was originally a rubber plantation. A small thatched shed was constructed and Viswadarsanam inaugurated.
Gradually the rubber trees were replaced with medicinal plants, herbs and vegetables, thus creating the beginnings of the biodiversity centre. Despite great hardship and without external funding, Umesh and his wife, Janee, conducted several nature camps and awareness programmes. People came from all over the world to participate in these events, and the centre has established an international reputation for its contribution to environmental awareness.
Achievements
For over twenty years, Viswadarsanam has played a prominent role in promoting environmental awareness and conservation in the state of Kerala.
In 1988, Umesh Babu, the director of Viswadarsanam, organised an environmental campaign, with the support of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests. For a month, he traveled in a decorated bullock cart, promoting the message of sustainable living throughout his region. The campaign gained wide media coverage and was named as one of the most successful to have been carried out in India.
During 1991, a conservation plaque was erected in the museum gardens of the Kerala Capital, Trivandrum, for the recognition of Viswadarsanam reaching its fifth successful year.
In 1992, Umesh initiated the Silent Valley Cycle Trail. He took a team of 24 people from different parts of Kerala through the Silent Valley, a protective sanctuary in the north of the state, in an attempt to popularise cycling as an environmentally friendly mode of transport. “Travel without Fuel” was the campaign tag line.
Umesh Babu received, in 1997, an International Felicitation for his outstanding contribution to the field of environmental awareness. Dr. A.R. Kidwai, Governor of Bihar, presented him with this award at the 6th World Environment Congress in New Delhi.
In keeping with his active progress in the field of environmental conservation, the Indian Junior Chamber Zone XXII presented Umesh Babu with an award for his professional excellence in environmentally friendly activities for the year 2002.
From 2002 onwards, Viswadarsanam has been operating a successful Outdoor Nature School, bringing children from all over the Pathanamthitta District to the centre to learn about the virtues of simple and sustainable living.
In The Lap Of Nature
Love and respect for nature are inscribed in the sacred Scriptures. The Vedas are replete with hymns of devotion to nature.
“Live in complete harmony with nature; Experience the grace of God in the splendour of the universe. Be blessed by God’s reassuring love. The sweet dawn with sweeten your soul. The dazzling mid-day will set your heart aflutter. The serene music of your soul will guide you towards peace and prosperity, and when the day’s task is over you will sleep in the lap of Mother Nature.” Yajur Veda 34-37
Sadly, the Vedic wisdom has fast been fading into insignificance. These sacred tenets are often violated in the race to acquire more power and fame. The bounties of nature, once held sacred, are being destroyed in the so-called interests of development by mindless pollution and senseless deforestation. Mills and factories in urban areas burn high sulphur coal and other harmful chemicals. The toxic emissions from industrial chimneys pollute air and water.
The Human Dilema
The human condition upon this wasted planet is undoubtedly difficult. Bloody riots and squabbles between different sects tear at the delicate web of human relations. Man’s destiny looms shadowy on the horizon of the 21st century. Alienated from nature, from his fellow men and from himself, he is faced with the formidable question: “Will we survive to the next millennium?”