Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network — Mangalore
Mangalore, Jun 22: The ‘World Environment Day’ celebration and ‘Environment Prize-2014’ distribution ceremony organized by the district administration, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Mangalore City Corporation was held here on Saturday June 21 at the town hall.
Prior to the formal function at the town hall, the planting of saplings was held in Vamanjoor, followed by an environmental march from Baavutagudda to town hall by the students from various schools and colleges.
Yakshagana show creating awareness on global warming and environmental destruction by well-known Yakshgana artist Ravi Alevooraya and team and skit by the students of Sri Ramakrishna College were the main attractions at the venue.
The programme was inaugurated by B Ramanath Rai, the state minister for forest, environment and biology and district-in-charge minister along with other dignitaries present on the dais.
Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo presided over the event.
Mangalore North MLA B A Moideen Bawa, member secretary of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Vijaykumar, Dakshina Kannada DC A B Ibrahim, MCC commissioner Ajithkumar Hegde and senior environment officer N Laxman were present on the dais.
Speaking after the inauguration, Rai said, “The government has focused on the preservation of the wild animals. With regards to the creation of major pits around the forest, a project worth Rs 212 crores is proposed to be carried out. As a pilot and an experiment, construction is already in process in the Nagarahole forest belt.”
“With relation to boosting of environmental protection and to introduce the rich plantations of our surrounding to the next generation, a herbal eco park is proposed to be constructed in Pilikula at a total cost of Rs 5 crores,” he said.
In his presidential address, Lobo said that prevention of environmental imbalance is the first step towards the prevention of nature. He said, “We must first prevent pollution to a maximum extent— not just smoke and waste emission but also heavy sound and lights that cause pollution."
"Waste management has been one of the major problems and we must ensure that the disposal is done in the right way. The use of plastic must be controlled to a major extent. We fight and protest the cutting of trees in public areas; but we cut trees which are in our premises. We must ensure that we plant more saplings for a better surrounding. We must control pollution and awareness must start within us,” he added.
Various dignitaries who have contributed to the protection of the environment were felicitated on the occasion. Vijay Kumar delivered the keynote address, Ajith Kumar Hegde welcomed and Manjula Shetty compered the event.