Pic : Apul

Mangalore : The Forest Department  and Western Ghats Task Force jointly organized a 2-day university-level forest and environment preservation camp and tree planting fest for the members of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in the premises of Mangalore University on Aug 4, Wednesday.

Krishna J. Palemar, Minister for Ports and Inland Water Transport and Ecology and Environment inaugurated the camp and said that it is necessary to protect our nature. He also said that the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) and the Forest Department have sponsored the planting of thousands of saplings in this region. Palemar planted a sapling in front of the science section.

Ananth Hegde Asheesara, chairman of Western Ghats Task Force delivered the key-note address and said that the government has announced five regions of the Western Ghats as hotspots. He disclosed that ten trees between four and six centuries old have been identified to be declared as heritage trees under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.

Additional Conservator of Forests Vijaya Kumar made the welcome speech; and Coordinator of NSS at Mangalore University Dr. Gananath Ekkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Forest Conservator S. Shanthappa, members of the Western Ghats Task Force Elyanna Malekudiya and B. M. Kumaraswamy, and a number of NSS members participated in this camp.