Mangaluru: “Planting a tree is not important; however, its conservation should be done with commitment. Everyone should develop a mother’s heart about plants,” said Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade.
He planted over 4,000 fruit saplings as part of a social forestry programme in the Thanneerupantha Reserve Forest area of Purusha Majalu surroundings of the Taluk as part of the Karnataka Government’s Koti Vriksha Andolana on Sunday July 9 under the joint auspices of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (RE), Dharmasthala, Mangaluru Regional Forest Division, Puttur Division, Uppinangady Range.
“Today the carnivorous animals in the forest have dwindled. Herbivorous animals are coming to the country and ruining agriculture. Therefore, if they get their food in the forest, they will not come to the village. Therefore, in the forest, fruits and vegetables should be planted so that they can survive. Thus, the plants we plant and the seeds we sow will not only create a clean environment but also provide shelter for the animals to survive,” said Heggade.
“We should live and allow others to live without rejecting what the scientists have said,” he added.
“The Forest Department doesn’t just do the work of the government. They also do the work of society. They have developed a commitment to grow a forest and protect the environment. The spirit of cooperating with them should be inculcated in all of us,” he said.
MLC Pratapsinh Nayak said, “Nature is good when the five elements are in balance. When nature is good, human health can also be good. Any work of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala has far-sighted thoughts and wants to do good for society and the country.”
MLA Harish Poonja inaugurated the programme. Dr. L. H. Manjunath, Executive Director, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Grama Vikashdhi Yojana, released a book titled ‘Social Forestry Programme for Environmental Conservation’ published by Janajagruti Regional Division, and spoke. The book, which contains details of 360 volunteers from the Shaurya team, by D. Veerendra Heggade, was released. Uppinangady Zone distributed various fruit saplings to various schools and organisations. A pledge was administered to plant and nurture trees.
Thanneerupantha Grama Panchayat President Fathima Ishrat, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project Chief Executive Officer Anil Kumar S. S., Janajagruti Vedike President Kasim Malligemane, Zonal President Prabhakar Gowda Posandodi and Project Director Mahabala Kulal were present.
Vivek V. Pai Regional Director, Janajagruti Vedike welcomed the gathering. Rural Development Project Agriculture Officer Ramkumar Marnad and Project Officer Ganesh Acharya handled the programme. Project Officer Dayananda Poojary proposed the vote of thanks.
