Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)
Mangalore, Jun 5: With planting of a variety of saplings, the district Legal Services Authority, Lawyers' Association and district forest department on Thursday June 5 observed World Environment Day at Kadri Park here.
Principal district and session judge, Uma M G flagged off the drive by planting and watering a sapling. Principal senior civil judge Nagalinga Gowda S Patil and deputy conservator of forest, D K Palaiah also joined hands in planting.
Addressing the gathering Uma M G said, "The save environment drive that people often hear of has now sadly been misused as a fashionable statement. The true motto of such drives has strayed in the recent years. The onus of protecting the environment is on every citizen of the nation. The public should participate in such drives and plant saplings in his/her vicinity. This would facilitate in balancing the eco-system."
"Sustainable development would help in achieving a balanced eco-system. Any unregulated, in other words unchecked development would derail the ecological balance," said Palaiah. "The protection of environment in today's world is necessary as we have the responsibility to hand over a balanced environment to the next generation."
At the end of the programme, the members of the judicial fraternity and forest department raised pro-environment slogans. During the occasion, P Ashok Ariga, president of Mangalore Bar Association, many session judges, forest officials were present.
Cleaning drive
In yet another celebration of Environment Day, on the theme of 'Raise your voice, not the sea level', Hotel Gateway in association with the Government ITI (women) college took out a cleaning drive in a straight road from Akashavani circle to the end of the stretch.
As many as 50 students were seen picking strewn items, such as plastics, tobacco sachets, cigarette packs and much more.
The drive was inaugurated by corporator of Kadri north ward Roopa D Bangera. Addressing the volunteers who participated in the drive she pointed out that the increasing level of global warming is a cause for worry. "This has now emerged as a new burden on our shoulder. Enthusiasm to protect nature should not be limited only to this day, but should continue every day of our lives," she said.
"Due to increasing deforestation, animals are seen straying into the cities. It is high time we plant more and more trees to provide shelter for wild animals. People should dispose plastics and waste materials in dust bins and not litter the streets. People are often seen throwing trash on the roads. Callous attitude of the public needs to stop if we have to save the environment," she added.
On the occasion MCC environment engineer Madhu, hotel authorities and others were present.
Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya celebrates World Environment Day
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Jun 5: World Environment Day was celebrated by the members of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchayana in a very unique manner at the 'katte' opposite to Canara Jewellers in Hampankatta, Mangalore.
The programme was not just a celebration, but an informative session on the effects of the Yettinahole project and other harmful projects which are likely to destroy the western ghats.
The programme was named 'Bella Baajel,' meaning jaggery and water, a traditional welcome drink that was served in the coastal regions long time ago. Hence this programme was organized in Hampankatta because it is learnt that Hamapankatta means Appana Katte where a person named Appana Ajjer used to serve free water and jaggery to the commuters in the very earlier days.
The programme was inaugurated with a traditional dance and singing of Aati Kalenja Paadedana by Kuthar Thimmakka and group. Later, the Aati Kalenja distributed water and jaggery to the guests who were present on the occasion. The water was stored in nine different mud pots named Elaneeru Hole, Bandaje Hole, Mrityunjaya Hole, Aniyoori Hole, Sunaala Hole, Neriya Hole, Kapila Hole, Kempu Hole and Kumaradhara Hol which are names of the nine different streams of Netravati river.
Speaking after the inauguration, Sreesha Kumar said, "No government firm or its unit in Mangalore has ever shown loss unlike other places in the state; this is mainly due to the systematic lifestyle followed by the people of this district. If we have no Netravati, then we have no life. If there is no rain, no water in any dam, then the district will face a drought, but still the government has been planning to divert the main stream water source of our district."
"We must raise our voice against all these unwanted and unscientifically planned projects. There is a point millimeter raise in the sea water every year. After 30 years, the city of Mangalore will be filled with water; the situation is dangerous and we must wake up before it is too late and protect our Western Ghats to protect ourselves. Global warming is rising at an alarming rate, but we plan of destroying the forests and bringing in major projects," he added.
In his address, M G Hegde said, "The state led Congress government is doing injustice to the people of the coastal regions. Siddramaiah has been neglecting the people of the district. If the ministers and MLAs of our district have little bit of shame, let them resign from their posts and join the fight for Netravati or else let them be shameless and sleep at home. This is not a project for drinking water, but to make money."
Vaman Nandavara said, "This sort of a unique programme should not just be arranged in Hampankatta alone, but should be carried out in various historical katte’s in Mangalore as well. Every place in the district ending with 'katte' and 'bail' has its own importance and feature; hence we must know the facts and preserve these places to the most possible extent."
Various other guests also spoke on the occasion and expressed their views on the importance of the environment, effects of the Netravati river diversion and other projects.
The programme was organized and compeered by Dinesh Holla and his team under the banner of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya.