Environmental Protection should be Practiced in Daily Life – SP Lakshman Nimbargi
Udupi: The District Superintendent of Police Lakshman Nimbargi said that environmental protection should not be limited to the celebration but should be practised in our daily life for it to be effective.
He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the World Environment Day programme organized by the Udupi Press Club along with the Forest Department at Salumarada Thimmakka Tree Park, Manipal here on Tuesday, June 5.
“The environment was good in the past but now it has deteriorated. If the current situation continues, then it will only get worse. The environment is being destroyed due to industrialization. The consumption of plastic has adversely affected the environment. There are laws regarding the ban on plastic use but are not properly enforced. If we do not think seriously about protecting the environment, then we will have to face serious problems in the coming days. Environmental protection should begin from our homes,” said Nimbargi.
District Forest Conservation officer Clifford Lobo said, “Just as soldiers guard a country’s border, the Forest Department works to safeguard wildlife within the country. There is a law that out of the total land occupied by the population, at least 33 percent of the land is required to be forested. Currently, only 22.5% of land in Karnataka is forested. Karnataka has a total area of about 1.91 lakh hectares, out of which 43,000 hectares account for the forest cover. Compared to other states, our state has 1 percent more forest cover.”
“The department has been conducting a number of effective programs to protect the environment. This year our target is to plant 8.2 lakh saplings. Of these, 5 lakh saplings will be planted on roads and public places. Excessive use of plastic has become a warning alert to the globe. Forest cover is the prime solution to fight against environmental pollution,” he said.
District Information and Broadcasting officer Rohini, Udupi District Working Journalist’s Association President Ganesh Prasad Pandelu, Secretary Santhosh Saralebettu, Treasurer Divakar Hiriyadka and Joint Secretary Michael Rodrigues were also present.
The former president of Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association Kiran Manjanbailu welcomed the gathering. Press Club convener Nagaraj Rao compered the programme and assistant convener delivered the vote of thanks.
The Udupi Press Club has decided to distribute a sapling for all those who hold press meetings every day. The Journalists’ Association has filed a petition for Environmental Protection. Those who receive the saplings are requested to plant at least 5 saplings. The process began today and will continue for three months. The Forest Department will supply the necessary saplings to the Press Club.