Environmentalist R. Sarvesh Kumar Emerges as Guardian Angel of the Coast

In a remarkable display of dedication and resilience, R. Sarvesh Kumar has emerged as the guardian angel of the coast, fighting to protect the fragile ecosystem of Marakkanam in Villupuram. His tireless efforts have caught the attention of environmentalists and locals alike, as he battles against illegal shrimp farms and works towards preserving the pristine beauty of the area. With a petition in hand, Sarvesh Kumar stood firm in front of the Villupuram collector's house, demanding action against the illegal shrimp farms that were causing irreparable damage to the Kaliveli wetlands. After years of persistence and numerous petitions, his efforts bore fruit when the National Green Tribunal ordered the closure of these illicit farms in 2016. Furthermore, the government recognized the importance of the wetlands by declaring them a bird sanctuary in 2021. However, Sarvesh's work didn't stop there. Every day, he walks along the Marakkanam coast, collecting litter from the beaches, and closely monitors the turtle nesting spots during the spawning season. His dedication to preserving the environment extends beyond just clean-up efforts. He has established a hatchery at Vasavanakuppam, where turtle eggs collected from the coastal areas are safely incubated until they hatch. Sarvesh's passion for environmental conservation was ignited during his college days, and he continues to inspire others to join his cause. Through his organization, Samudra Bharati, he provides free computer and tailoring classes to underprivileged students and offers financial assistance to those in need. Looking towards the future, Sarvesh aims to establish a free IAS coaching center in Marakkanam, empowering the youth to contribute to environmental protection. His unwavering commitment serves as a shining example and reminds us that one individual can make a significant impact in safeguarding our coastlines and preserving nature's treasures.

This 17-Year-Old Wins International Award and Accolades for His Game Changing Invention

Sarvesh Prabhu, a 17-year-old research intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), knew that the leaves of the custard apple tree (Ramphal) were traditionally used to treat dysentery. He delved deeper and explored the bio-insecticidal properties of the same. The extracts were used in the research, and it was discovered that they were successful against three destructive pests, with a mortality rate ranging from 78 to 88 percent. It was decided to investigate the pest mortality rate in greenhouse and field settings because it rendered a positive outcome in laboratory settings.  Farmers all across the world utilize cheap fertilizers to get rid of pests like Pod borer and Green peach aphids which alone result in an annual loss of over 40% of crop yields. It has been discovered that Ramphal plants' chemical constitution functions as a natural defense mechanism against these pests thus providing farmers with an eco-friendly, cost-effective and long-term solution for pests that can replace harmful chemical pesticides. Sarvesh took this project to Atlanta where he represented India in the International Science and Engineering Fair, considered to be among the world’s largest pre-college science fairs. The project, which won third place and a monetary prize of US $1,000, was hailed as a game-changer. Additionally, Sarvesh received accolades and a reward of Rs. 1 lakh as part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Innovation Award for School Children for his accomplishment.