Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Mangaluru, Sep 24: “People who live in the forest land need to be given certain concession as they do not have any other alternative. It is true that the trees are essential for the survival of this earth, but it is unavoidable for elected representatives to show lenience towards these forest tribes,” said Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Minister Kota Srinivas was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Vrukshotsava – 2019’ event organized under the joint auspices of district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation, department of forest and other like-minded organizations at the Town Hall in the city on Tuesday, September 24.
The minister further said, “We do not support the forest dwellers who mindlessly cut the trees and spoil the environment. However, sometimes, due to unavoidable circumstances we need to show concern to the forest dwellers. Our cooperation is always there to the forest department to conserve the forest, which is essential for our survival.”
“Conferring Padma Shri Award on common people like Salumarada Thimmakka and Sukri Bommagowda, who have contributed in a huge manner for the increase in the number of trees shows that these kind of awards are not only presented to rich and affluent but for people of the lower strata of the society. The central government’s dedication in preserving nature can be seen in such acts of presenting awards to common people, who inspire the society to conserve nature.
“The cutting of trees during the construction of building needs to be replaced by planting sapling to develop urban forests. The members of Ramakrishna mission and volunteers of Swaccha Bharat Abhiyaan are going to plant around two lac trees in coming days,” said Ekagamyananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna mission, who delivered the key-note address. Swamiji also asked the concerned authorities to identify at least 50 locations in the Mangaluru city limits for implementing this project.
An oath on conserving the forest and nature was administered to the attendees by A G Gangadhar, senior civil judge and member secretary of district legal services authority. At the same time, cash awards and trophies were distributed to the winners of the quiz competition.
D Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru South assembly constituency, Meenakshi Shantigodu, zilla panchayat president, Mohammed Monu, Mangaluru taluk panchayat president, Dr Karikalan, DFO, Mangaluru and Puneet Pathak, additional principal chief conservator of forests Bengaluru were present.