Mangalore : Ananth Hegde Ashisara, Chairman of the Western Ghat Task Force has said due emphasis would be laid on forest conservation and promoting greenery in the coming days.

Speaking to reporters at DC office on February 14, Thursday  he said special schemes were planned and there is a programme of planting saplings on either sides of the road.

Rs 18 crore has been earmarked for forest conservation. He said Rs 3 crore would be spent to develop one village as a green village.

Ashisara also informed that Rs 1000 core would be earmarked for green belt areas. A sum of Rs 66 crore has been earmarked for wildlife protection, eco tourism, Ashisara said.

Forest official Clifford Lobo, Padmanabha Gowda and others were present.