Protecting Environment is the duty of Every Citizen – Dist Judge Venkatesh Naik
Udupi: “It is the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures”, said T Venkatesh Naik, district and sessions judge Udupi. He was speaking after inaugurating the World Environment day organized by the district administration, Bharath Scouts and Guides Udupi and Karnataka State Pollution control Board Udupi jointly at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium Rajathadri, Manipal here on June 5.
Venkatesh Naik further said, “All students should be made aware of the importance and benefits of protecting our environment. Awareness should be brought among the students about the importance of growing and protecting trees, as well as about the harmful effects of polluting water, air and sound. There should be a proper and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Eco-friendly industries should be promoted”.
Deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis in her message said that this year UNI has selected the theme ‘Connecting People to Nature’, for the World Environment Day 2017 and it is most relevant for today’s generation. In Udupi district, we have seen many reports like the Kasturi Rangan Report etc that have created confusion in the people about the forests. Every time it has created misunderstanding between the people about the forests. Once upon a time, Udupi district was receiving the highest rainfall in the state but now the rainfall is decreasing year after year. Last year the district experienced 63% of rainfall. First time in history, our district has been announced as a drought-hit district in the state which has made us think of the future situation in the years to come.
Priyanka Mary further said, “The future of the Udupi district is in the hands of the students, and the district administration has decided to create awareness in the students about the environment. Students should join hands with the district administration to protect the environment. Each one of us can do something to protect the environment by using water carefully and manage waste in our own houses”.
Priyanka Mary also said, “Disposal of biodegradable waste is a major challenge in the district. The district recently adopted the pipe compost technology; It is considered an easy and useful composting method. The kitchen waste or wet waste is put into the pipe, gardens in houses, school gardens etc can get good compost from the kitchen waste. Awareness about this system is being spread among the students, and they are being encouraged to install simple household waste management device in the backyard of their houses”.
While concluding she said that timely rain is necessary for a balanced and protected environment. She called on each and every student to grow a tree to ensure the overall health of the environment.
Dinakar Babu president Zilla Panchayat, Latha member secretary district legal service authority, Shantha V Acharya state coordinator Bharath Scouts and Guides, Rajshekar Puranik senior environment officer, Dr N A Madhyastha retired principle, Prof. A Ganesh and Prof. Balakrishna K MIT Manipal and others were present.