Pichavaram - A visual treat

Pichavaram is the one of the largest mangrove forest in the world, located near Chidambaram in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Calibre academy decided to send its children from the 6th to the 8th standard to this place to study the mangrove forests.

Our team of staff and students started at 5.30 a.m. on the 25th of February to Pichavaram. We also had Ms. Nina Nath from AKARA leading the team. It was a five and half hour journey from Chennai to Pichavaram. Once we reached we were ready for the adventurous boating trip. Safety was ensured at all points with life jackets being provided to all the students and staff. We had environmentalists from the M.S. Swaminathan Institute, who travelled with us right through the Nature trail, into the breath taking mangrove forest explaining to us all about the flora and fauna found there. Important landmarks were visited. It was no doubt a very educational and informative trip.

The boat at one point was halted at a strategic location and the importance of mangrove forests was explained.The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscape and back water cruises, but combines another very rare occurrence - the mangrove forest trees are permanently rooted in a few feet of water.

Once we reached the shore we had a hearty lunch. The students went to the watch tower to have an aerial view of the Pichavaram scene and the restoration project.

On our way back,we visited the lovely sands of Mahabalipuram . Children were allowed to indulge in various games on the shores of Mahabalipuram. It was time for dinner and a yummy dinner awaited them in TTDC Mahabalipuram. Our return journey was quiet and relaxing and we reached our destination half an hour ahead of time.