Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 19: The month-long 'Vruksha Laksha' (afforestation) programme the government has undertaken from June 15 to July 15 with the aim of boosting the green cover in the state was inaugurated in the district on Thursday June 18 at Admar near Padubidri.
Zilla panchayat chief executive engineer Prasanna Kumar inaugurated the programme, organized by Kundapur forest subdivision in association with the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Admar Poornaprajna PU College in a simple ceremony at Admar village. Prasanna Kumar informed on the occasion that different saplings are being dispatched to various schools in the district to help them in the hot meals programme.
Udupi zilla panchayat president in-charge N B Babu presided. Additional deputy commissioner of the district H V Atmaramaiah and deputy forest conservator of Kundapur forest subdivision O Palaiah participated as chief guests.
Zilla panchayat member Shashikant Padubidri, taluk panchayat member Katpady Shankar Poojary and Yermal Tenka gram panchayat president Prameela were present. Admar Poornaprajna PU College principal K Ramadas Arya delivered introductory address. NSS officer of the college Jayashankar presented the programme. H Devaraj Pana proposed vote of thanks.
Palaiah said that permission of the forest department is a prerequisite for cutting down any grown up tree either in case of perceived danger or for other use. Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCLL - erstwhile Nagarjuna) had to pay a penalty of Rs 1.15 crore for cutting down standing trees in the land ceded to it by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, without obtaining prior permission, he added.
Earlier to the programme. Babu and other officials present, planted saplings under the leadership of Padubidri forester Faridul Haq.