To mark the World Wildlife Week celebrations, a month-long photo exhibition and series of events titled ‘The Western Ghats: Hidden Treasures’ will be held at Siruthuli’s Noyyal Life Centre on the Valankulam – Sungam Bypass Road from October 1.

According to Siruthuli, an NGO involved in conservation of water bodies and ecology, the Green NGOs of Coimbatore are taking steps to create awareness about the rich bio-diversity of Western Ghats as part of World Wildlife Week celebrations.

Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) from Valparai, a non-profit organisation involved in science-based and socially responsible conservation of India’s wildlife and natural eco-systems, is joining hands with the Green NGOs of Coimbatore to celebrate the green wealth of Western Ghats through the exhibition.

The objective of the expo is to make people realise that they are on a green terrain with around 5,000 species of lowers, 500 species of birds, 130 species of mammals and 170 species of amphibians. It unveils the best vista of a life-time and is a sure soul-soothe, Siruthuli said in a release. The majestic Western Ghats that abuts Coimbatore is a home to this rich bio-diversity, which contains more than 30 per cent of all species found in India. But, urbanisation and human influence is putting a check on this treasure.

The expo will be open at the Noyyal Life Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days and more than 5,000 people are expected to visit the expo.

It will be inaugurated by S. Balaji, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Director of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, in the presence of wildlife photographer and film maker Kalyan Varma. District Forest Officer V. Thirunavukkarasu will honour the forest heroes who had done exemplary service in protecting bio-diversity.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / September 29th, 2012