Every one of us understands that there is a need to protect our environment and realizes the importance of planting trees. But only few people have the determination to translate these thoughts into actions. We are very fortunate to have one such passionate, zealous, committed and selfless Nature Lover amongst us. He is none other than our beloved Dr. M Rama Murthy, Head of the Zoology Dept. He was the master mind behind the inception of Penguin Nature Club in 1986 which was affiliated to WWF-India. Penguin Nature Club involved the students of BVK College and took up plantation work in and around the college.
The saying, ‘behind every successful man, there is a woman’, is true for Dr. Rama Murthy and his wife Mrs. Mangathayi. Dr. Murthy felt that Penguin Nature Club is restricted in its activities as it is limited to BVK Students. Then, Mrs. Mangathayi suggested that they start the ‘Dolphin Nature Conservation Society (DNCS)’, with membership open to all. Consequently, DNCS was established in 2001 with an agenda to motivate youngsters towards tree plantation, environmental conservation and protection.
Focusing on expanding the work, Dr Murthy found the area of his dreams in Rani Chandramathi Devi hospital for the disabled. After loads of hard work, requests ad permissions, the city’s first bio-diversity park took shape. Covering an area of about 5 acres, there are about 2000 species of medicinal, aromatic, ornamental, cacti, gymnosperms, aquatic plants and other rare and uncommon varieties. Through DNCS, Dr Murthy also conducted several workshops, exhibitions, intercollegiate competitions and seminars, organized nature study tours and rallies to create awareness among the youth about nature conservation. Penguin Nature Club received the “Best Nature Club of the millenium-2000” award at state level by WWF-India and “Best Environmental Protection Award” from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. DNCS received the “Krushi-Nature protection Award” from Krushi Orthopedic society, Visakhapatnam. 
Pranams to Dr. Murthy who made our college an outstanding one for its Nature Conservation activities that got recognition both at the state and National Level. I am sure many of our Alumni members can identify themselves as past volunteers of the Penguin Nature club and DNCS. I request every one to extend your support to this wonderful organization and become a part of Environmental Protection. For more details contact Dr M. Ramamurthy at dncs.india@gmail.com
Written by ~
Umadevi Desabhotla
Inter 1983-85 - B.Sc 1985-88
Current Location : Lagos, Nigeria
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