Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Udupi, Jun 6: 'World Environment day' was observed by the District administration in association with Scouts and Guides unit and Karnataka state pollution control board here, at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Rajathadri, Manipal, on Monday, June 5.

The programme was organized with the theme 'Connecting people with the nature'.

District and session court judge T Venkatesh Naik and other guests inaugurated the programme by watering a plant.

Venkatesh, addressed the gathering and said, "Protection and preservation of the environment is the fundamental duty of every citizen. It is the prime responsibility of citizens to protect the assets of nature including the nation's forest reserves, reservoirs, and wild animals.

There is a need to protect fertile lands which are now being ruined by chemical components. The environment is losing its natural structure. Humans can lead a beautiful life only by protecting the environment. Parents must provide awareness about nature to their children at their tender age. People can save nature through proper solid and wastage management, recycle of natural resources including water, construction of water storing pits, ban on plastic usage, improving solar system, control of fuel usage and bringing under control the overuse of natural resources," Venkatesh Naik added.

District Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said, "Concurrence or coexistence with nature is important. Regardless, the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports are cause for concern. Human life esentially co-exists with forests, plants and water sources. Udupi district get 3500 to 4000 mili meters of rainfall. But pre-monsoon showers are down by 65% vis-a-vis the previous year. The three taluks of district have been declared as drought-affected areas for the first time in history. There should have been no disharmony between man and nature. We are the losers ultimately. There should have been an adjustment and healthy bonding with environment."

DC Priyanka continued, "Protection of environment is in the hands of the youth. The edification of 'saving the nature' should be begin at home. The segregation of waste should be initiated at home. Government provides subsidis for eco-friendly activities including provision of organic compost instead of chemicals to agricultural land, and pits for storing rain water. Subsidy is available under Udyoga Khathri project.

A lesson on protection of nature will be added to the syllabus from this academic year on, to educate children. There will also be a competition on the topic. A merited award will be given to the winning schools that are engaged in proper disposal of waste."

The zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu presided over the programme.

Rajashekhar Puranik, senior Environmental officer, Mangaluru zone, Shantha V Acharya, State vice president, Scouts an Guides, Latha, senior civil judge, Dr Laxmikantha, Environmental officer were present on occasion.

Retired principal Dr N A Madhyastha delivered a talk on conservation of birds. A special lecture was presented by professor A Ganesh of MIT Manipal on 'Recycling of water and waste'.

Another resource person professor Balakrishna K spoke on 'The problems of nature and solutions'. Prameela administere the oath on occasion. Vivek Guniga welcomed the gathering.