Minister Madhwaraj launches Koti Vraksha Abhiyan
Udupi: “Forest officials should serve in fortitude and determination to protect forests,” said the Minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affairs, Pramod Madhwaraj. He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Koti Vraksha Abhiyan’ organized by the Forest Department – Kundapur Zone at Town Hall here, on July 3.
Madhwaraj said that coordination between the people and the forest department is very important in protecting forests. “Officials should function honestly and not give into political pressure. People should be educated on the importance of forests. The Bhutan model should be adapted to develop forests. Deforestation has been resulting in adverse effects to nature and if the same continues, it will ruin mankind.”
The district is aiming to plant 2 lakh saplings. Students should be effectively involved towards planting the 2 lakh saplings. Bhujanga Park will be developed with effective consultation with CMC officials, he added.
Chief Conservator of Forests – Mangaluru Zone, Dr Sanjay Bijoor said, “Koti Vraksha Abhiyan is a new version of Vanamahotsava. Conservation of forests is the duty of every individual. An individual needs 5 cylinders of oxygen to survive. If he lives for 65 years, he utilizes oxygen worth Rs 5 crores.”
50,000 saplings will be planted in Udupi apart from the areas that come under the Forest Department. The other 1.50 lakh saplings are available in nurseries and can be utilized by the general public. A park will be constituted in Udupi, he added.
Individuals who have promoted environment conservation were felicitated on the occasion, and included Ajay Giri (King Cobra conservation), K P Shetty (Ecological park), Arur Manjunath (Development and conservation of medicinal plants), Sammilan Shetty (Research on butterflies and constituting park), Krishna Murthy Hebbar (Conservation of Cobra).
Forest Department officials who have served effectively in the department – Dinesh (Moodibidri Zone), Ramesh (Udupi), Brijesh (Shankernarayan) and staff Manjuganiga, Surya Narayan and Devraj Pana – and 5 other farmers were also felicitated.
CMC President Meenakshi Madhav Bannaje presided over the programme. Chairperson of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited Veronica Cornelio, ZP CEO Priyanka Mary Francis, Kudremukh Wildlife Division DFO Maria Kristharaju, Lions Club President Radhakrishna Mendon, Chandranna and others were present. M V Amarnath of Kundapur Division welcomed the gathering. R G Bhat of Social Forest Department Udupi delivered the vote of thanks. Havanje Prashanth Shetty compered the programme.