Dharmasthala : Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) will plant 10 lakh saplings in Karnataka at a cost of Rs 35 lakh in association with forest department, said Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade on Wednesday.

Speaking after launching the “bittotsava” programme of forest department at Dadanthamale reserve forest, Belalu village, Belthangady Taluk, he said that it is the responsibility of each individual to protect the Nature.

The wild animals and birds should be conserved to maintain balance in the nature. Destruction of forests result in soil erosion and land slips, he said.

Mr. Heggade said that 1.81 lakh saplings were planted at 575 places under 175 taluks in the State on this June 5 under the auspices of the SKDRDP, which is a NGO. It is also planting saplings of fruit bearing trees on the banks of water bodies rejuvenated by the SKDRDP.

Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja presided over the meeting.