Udupi: “It is the responsibility of the people to protect the environment” opines Dr. Veerendra Hegde, the dharma-adhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala.

He was speaking at the World Environment Day programme, ‘Sasya Gopuram’ organised as part of the dedication ceremony of Suvarna Gopura of Sri Krishna Mutt at Rajangana. He also distributed plants to people on the occasion.

Dr. Hegde said that the enormous harm to the environment is the actual reason for the change of climate. If this is not curbed now, it would affect the future generation.

‘It is essential to protect the forests from getting felled. If there is an increase in sea level due to climate change, there is danger to coastal towns including Udupi’ he added.

Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt, Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swami of Kaniyur Mutt, were among those present at the programme.