By Hemanath Padubidri 
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, Sep 19: “A forest committee will be formed by taking forest-dwellers, living in the dense forests across the Western Ghat, into confidence so as to undertake forest conservation programmes and also pool information on the endangered sacred patch of forest whereby inhabitants worshipped in a bygone era”, said state Western Ghats task force chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara.

Addressing media persons at the Circuit House here on Saturday September 19, Hegde said that a decision will be taken on developing the sacred forest on the property of Puttige Math, in association with the Math authority, to get an update on the Varahi Irrigation Project, besides forming an environment committee to look into the irrigation project.

“The forest department is undertaking the conservation of medicinal plants that are grown at Dali in Kollur gram panchayat”, he added.

“There lies a need to provide information on the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Act by concerned officers to the fishermen community living along the western coast.  An integral conservation policy will be implemented to preserve the eco-environment and biodiversity of the Sahyadri range of Western Ghats”, said Hegde.

“A policy to curb the menace posed by plastic to the eco environment will be presented through the state environment pollution control board.  A programme to plant two saplings for every tree felled in the urban areas will also be strictly implemented”, he emphasized stating that a report related to all these issues will be presented to the state administration by the end of this month.

Environment department regional director Puttaswamy, and Kundapur assistant forest conservator Manjunath were present at the press conference.