The banks of river Kallai at Kunnathupalam in Kozhikode witnessed a unique get-together on Sunday, marking International River Day. Around 35 environmental activists got together in complete adherence of COVID protocol to discuss this year’s theme of the day, Women-Water-Climate Change. Similar meetings were held across the State on the banks of rivers such as the Chaliyar, Iruvazhinji, Bharathapuzha, and Periyar. “This is the first time the River Day is being observed so enthusiastically in the State. The long inaction must have triggered such a response from environmentalists,” said T.V. Rajan, general secretary of the Kerala Nadhi Samrakshana Samiti that organised the events across the State.
“It is often perceived that collecting water is the responsibility of women and girls while men work and boys study. Women and girls sometimes have to travel miles to get water for…