Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 5: Minister for forest, environment, and ecology B Ramanath Rai launched the state-level ‘Laksha Vruksha Andolan’ at Town Hall on Saturday August 3.

At the formal launch, Rai distributed saplings to students along with other dignitaries.

Former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Monappa Bhandary, additional chief conservator of forest (development) B Shivana Gowda, additional chief conservator of forest Shiva Prakash, Nagaraj, managing director of Karnataka Cashew Development Authority, district commissioner N Prakash, Shantappa, chief conservator of forests, Mangalore, T S N Moorthy, deputy chairman of NMPT, N Laxman, and O Palaiah were on the dais.

On the occasion, ‘Aranya Mitra’ Award was conferred on four personalities—Madhav Ullal, B S Hasanabba, Jeeth Roach, and T S N Moorthy.

Addressing the gathering, Rai said, “Like food, even trees are important for man, but we are into destroying forests and as a result even animal life is affected.”

Stating that acid protection and protecting the environment is an international issue, Rai said that the afforestation programme should not be done for name’s sake, but should be useful. “The programmes implemented by the department should be people-friendly. Only then will it be a success,” he said asking other organizations to get actively involved.

“These kinds of programmes will also be launched in the other districts and the department should create awareness among people on the use of growing trees. We speak about environment protection and all other related aspects, but are we really concerned about it is the question we need to ask ourselves. Any programme implemented by the government should not be restricted to the concerned department. Instead, it is the responsibility of all to get involved in it,” said former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

Stressing the importance of creating awareness among public about their responsibility towards the environment, the former CM said any problem in the environment would lead humans to suffer the most.
“More than six times we have discussed the issue of elephants in the assembly. In this regard, the state government should at least allot Rs 100 crore for solar fencing and other arrangements,” he added.

Commenting on the proposed Niddodi project, he said without any politics we are fighting against it as it will pose a threat to the environment. About Yettina Hole, Gowda said that the project will not harm Dakshina Kannada. “As per the plan, the water will be sent to Kolar, Chikaballapur, and other areas who face shortage of water,” he added.

Prior to the stage programme, an awareness play on conservation of forests was performed by the students.