Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jun 22: Minister for forest, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai on Monday June 22 planted a sapling at Kadri, as part of Vanamahotsava, organized by Dakshina Kannada district working journalists association and Mangaluru press club in association with forest department.

Speaking at the occassion Ramanath Rai said "Every year vanamahotsava is celebrated by journalists' association. Protecting environment is the responsibility of each one of us. Every individual should take care of the environment. In this direction, we have to make the people aware to plant more and more plants in their neighborhood. Under the state-level ‘Laksha Vruksha’ (lac tree plantation campaign) andolan programme, we have been planting samplings through out the state and it will be launched again in July. Our department is giving plant samplings at low price so I request people to reap benefit of it."

When asked about the deemed forest survey minister said "Survey of deemed forest has been completed other than in 3 or 4 districts. Survey of deemed forest in Dakshina Kannada is done. People who have encroached less than 3 acres before 1970 will be given Hakku patra (documents). This has been decided in the cabinet. People who get their livelihood in the encroached land will be given alternative land in some other revenue land."

Forest conservation officer Sanjay Bijoor, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Clifford Lobo, corporator Roopa D Bangera, Information Officer of Dakshina Kannada Khader Sha, working journalist association president P B Harish Rai, Press Club president Jagannath Shetty Bala among others were present.