News & Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
Udupi, Dec 18: “The united efforts of the citizens and foresters will sustain the conservation of black panthers and the precious biodiversity that is found in the environmental hotspot that is the Western Ghats,” said Mangalore range forester conservator S Shantappa.
He was speaking after inaugurating the felicitation for foresters and talented students of the forest department held at Durga International Hotel here on Friday December 17. The programme was organized under the aegis of Kundapur Range Forest Conservators and Foresters Association, and Karkala Wildlife Division.
“The foresters play a key role in conserving the forest. They face the fear of the timber mafia and poachers,” said Shantappa. “Meanwhile, as the department needs the services of foresters, it has requisitioned the state administration to provide sophisticated arms to efficiently perform their duties,” he added.
“Twenty-five forest guards have been promoted as foresters already, while necessary action will be taken to promote the senior forest guards to foresters this year,” said Shantappa.
He also advised the foresters to enroll in their Association in order to avail state benefits and to take an earnest interest in life and group insurance. Association president H Devaraj presided.
Forest conservator O Palayya, Kundapur assistant forest conservator Manjunath Shetty, Kollur sub-division assistant forest conservator Suresh Shetty, state Government Employees' Association district president Subramanya Sherigar, and Association member Girish were present.
Forester Vijay Kumar of Hebri range was felicitated for bagging the overall championship in the government employees’ sports meet. Recently promoted forest guards Mahantesh M D, Sandhya, Lokesh, Hanumantarayappa, Raghavendra M, Anand, Shashikant, Basappa, Deviprasad, Prashant, Chidanand, Anand Balegar, and Raghavendra Akalavady were felicitated.
Scholarships were distributed to Harshit Kumar, Suraj Kumar, Jyothi, Sudhir Kumar, Supriya Patwal, Ramya, and Sandeep Naika on the same occasion.
Association secretary Ganapati Nayak welcomed the gathering. Honorary president V Manju delivered the introductory address. Pushkal Kumar compered the programme treasurer Jayaram proposed vote of thanks.