Mangalore : An ambitious afforestation programme of the state government- ‘Laksha Vruksha, a joint initiative of the Karnataka Forest Department, Mangalore, Karnataka Environment and Ecology Department, and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Mangalore was inaugurated by State forest Minister B Ramanatha Rai. The function was held at Town Hall on August 3, Saturday.
Rai in his address said just as food is important for human beings, even conservation of trees was equally important.
He said the Laksha Vriksha Programme intends to have far reaching effects and urged everyone to join hands with the government in the success of the programme.
DV Sadananda Gowda, former Chief Minister, also spoke as a chief guest on t he occasion. MLA of Mangalore South JR Lobo also spoke on the occasion.
N Prakash, Deputy Commissioner, Nagaraj, Managing Director of Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, N Lakshman, Environment Officer of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Monappa Bhandari,MLC and others were present.
As part of the inauguration, a jatha was also taken out upto Town Hall.