Indian Village evinced the ‘Nature as Medium’ Of Message for Protecting a ‘Micro Eco Site’

Authors

  • S. Nagarathinam Madurai Kamaraj University
  • Pamposh Kumar
  • Balaji Sanyasi Madurai Kamaraj University
  • R. Muniraji Madurai Kamaraj University
  • D Juliyan Blase Madurai Kamaraj University
  • B. Ramakrishnan Madurai Kamaraj University
  • A Essakimuthu Madurai Kamaraj University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56042/jst.v13i2.17256

Keywords:

Science communication, Public Engagement, Environmental Communication, Nature as Medium of Message, Biodiversity Heritage Site, Arittapatti

Abstract

Arittapatti, a small village in Tamil Nadu, India, has shown the world through concerted public engagements and efforts that we can use ‘nature as a medium of message’ to protect the nature and ecology of a micro eco heritage site. The metaphorical pot-like rocky pond atop of hillock was the visual appeal of nature which was used to protect the site, when it was about to be quarried for granites in 2011. This site is the only habitat which hosts Laggar Falcons for the entire South India. Protecting the small ecosystem will have huge ecological, economical and natural importance.  The article explores the visual ability of the hillock which aids protection by the viewers through advocacy.  The site was proposed as a Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2021 by Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board and on 21st November 2022 Govt. of Tamil Nadu declared the same. The successful model of a decade of protection of a micro eco site, which is more vulnerable from the developmental activities or mining. The protection mind-set has been realized because of the coordinated efforts of local public, ornithologists, nature enthusiasts, activists and scientists. As now it is protected, this is an exemplary model for the whole planet earth for protecting the micro eco sites.

Author Biographies

  • S. Nagarathinam, Madurai Kamaraj University
    Coordinator, Eco-NEXT Media Lab, P-I, NCSTC Project, DST, Govt. of India, Professor and Head, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.   Dr.S.Nagarathinam is Professor and Head of the Department of Communication and Member - Syndicate of Madurai Kamaraj University, specializes teaching and research in Media and Communication at P.G. level and under his guidance 30 M.Phil, and seven Ph.D., scholars have completed their programmes. He completed 5 Major Research Projects sponsored by Govt. of India, New Delhi and 2 Major Projects by a granting agency from Washington, USA. And conducted 68 National, regional and local level training and field programmes. His research interests are Ecology, Environment, Climate Change and Communication, Indigenous Knowledge and explored Nature as Medium of Message for protection and conservation and had released two policy framework advancements for public advocacy and action. Dr.Nagarathinam travelled to many parts of our Nation for presenting and delivering lectures and also he inaugurated and presided over programmes. Dr.S.Nagarathinam was a Member of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), presently a Member in the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) of DST, Govt. of India, New Delhi on the subject matter of Communicating Science and Technology and Member of CEC, IUCN. He published many research articles and books. Recently he translated and edited a book on Fake News and Disinformation in Tamil and was published by UNESCO, Paris with a Co-Publishing Agreement - CPA. Dr. S. Nagarathinam received the EU-India Media Award for Excellence in Reporting HIV/AIDS in India in India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in 2006, The UNFPA – Laadli National Creative Excellence Awards for Social Change for Photography and Lyrics in TATA Theatre, Mumbai in 2007 and received National Award for Science and Technology Communication for Traditional and Innovative Methods from Shri. Ram Nath Kovind, President of India in New Delhi in 2020.
  • Balaji Sanyasi, Madurai Kamaraj University

    RUSA JRF, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.

  • R. Muniraji, Madurai Kamaraj University

    D. Research Scholar, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.

  • D Juliyan Blase, Madurai Kamaraj University

    NCSTC, Research Assistant, Research Scholar, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.

  • B. Ramakrishnan, Madurai Kamaraj University

    Project Assistant, Ph.D, Research Scholar, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.

  • A Essakimuthu, Madurai Kamaraj University

    UGC, JRF, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Dept. of Communication, School of Linguistics and Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625021, India.

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Published

2025-07-03

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Scientific Temper

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Indian Village evinced the ‘Nature as Medium’ Of Message for Protecting a ‘Micro Eco Site’. (2025). Journal of Scientific Temper (JST), 13(2), 57-74. https://doi.org/10.56042/jst.v13i2.17256

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