Media release
Mangaluru, Jul 3: Diocese of Mangaluru Laudato Si’ committee organised Vrakshavandan 2019, a felicitation programme for forest officers, team leaders and volunteers, on Wednesday, July 4, who toiled day and night to supply saplings to 124 churches of the diocese.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha presided over the programme along with Msgr Maxim L Noronha, the vicar general, Fr Richard D'Souza , convener Laudato si’ committee and Luvi J Pinto, organiser of Vrakshavandan 2019.
Dr Peter Paul in his presidential address congratulated all the forest officers, team leaders and volunteers for their support and active involvement in the campaign. Together, they supplied saplings to churches across Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod districts in just 20 days.
“Plants can sense everything, They have life and they react to us, when we show our love. Animals including the wild ones will not harm us, when we show love to them,” the bishop said. He spoke about St Francis of Assisi who is known as saint of the nature.
The bishop felicitated Shridhar, RFO Mangaluru, Clifford Lobo, RFO Udupi, Jeeth Milan, Selma Roche, Prajwal Suares, Dr Clarence Miranda, Stany Tauro, Raju Kidoor, Bannu Fernandes and James D'Souza.
Addressing the gathering, Clifford, RFO Udupi appreciated the bishop for his involvement in conservation of nature. He explained the benefits of teakwood and impact of the Vrakshvandan campaign.
Shridhar, RFO Mangaluru district also spoke on the benefits of planting teakwood saplings.
Luvi J Pinto, the organiser of the campaign said, Mangaluru diocese this year supplied 77,996 plants. All the plants have reached the houses of the people of 124 parishes. They have already planted the saplings in their homes. A record is maintained in the diocese, regarding the saplings provided to people. A picture of the person planting the sapling has to be sent to the committee. The diocese will monitor that the plants are cared for, he said.
He also explained the challenges faced while distributing plants to churches of the diocese. He further mentioned that after 15 days, the excess plants will be collected by the organisers and given to those who show interest in planting them.
Dr Peter Paul planted a pride of India sapling along with the other guests to mark the anniversary of his announcement as the bishop of Mangaluru diocese.
Fr Alwyn Serrao, principal of Padua College, compered the programme.