Mangaluru : “Parisara Park” will be developed with trees surrounding the dumping yard in urban areas, said Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Ramanath Rai.
Speaking at a programme organised to distribute Parisara Prashasthi, environment models as a part of the World Environment Day, organised jointly by the district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation, District Legal Services Authority and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board here on Friday, he said that the Cabinet has given nod for the setting up of three such “Parisara Parks” in the state.
“Disposal of garbage generated in urban areas is a challenging task. At the same time, the authorities get opposition from the general public when land is identified for a dumping yard. To find a solution to the foul smell emanating from the dump yard, it has been decided to grow trees around it,” he explained.
The Minister said, “We have failed to maintain balance in nature. There is a need to conserve flora and fauna. Some environmentalists keep silent when the environment is damaged for the sake of huge projects, however, they object when a project is taken up for the cause of the people. There is a need for real environmentalists, who understand the situation and then react,” adding, “The ‘Koti Vruksha’ campaign has been planned across the state from July 2 to 10.”
Rai also said, “The encroachment of elephant corridors result in the elephants straying into villages. The checking of human being-wild animals strife is a challenging task. With the measures initiated to conserve wild animals, Karnataka maintaining its top rank in tiger and elephant population. According to the report of the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Karnataka state has added 28,000-hectare land into the forest through its afforestation programme.”
Stressing on the need for conserving lakes, the minister said that as many as 12 organisations have entered into an understanding with the Lake Conservation and Development Authority in Karnataka for the rejuvenation of lakes. The government has decided to rejuvenate at least one lake in each district, he added.
In his presidential address, MLA J R Lobo said that there is a need to take children closer to the environment. Owing to the change in climate, the sparrows are no longer seen in cities. Free saplings and cloth bags were distributed among the schoolchildren. The eco-chart brought out by the Anti Pollution Drive Foundation was unveiled on the occasion.
The Parisara Prashasthi award (in individual category) was given to Jeeth Milan Roche for his effort to safeguard environment in Mangaluru.
Inland Windsors, a residential project where rainwater harvesting techniques have been implemented effectively with a 2.30 lakh-litre capacity storage tank for storing rainwater, won Parisara Prashasthi.
Other winners are Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering; Blue Water Foods & Exports (P) Ltd; Achal Industries, United Toyota, Mangaluru International Airport (for implementing rainwater harvesting, effective STPs and LEDs), Kariangala, Charmadi and Uppinangady gram panchayats for the effective implementation of solid waste management units. The awards were also given to schoolchildren on the occasion.
The members of Gejjenada Nritya team, Sequent Scientific Limited and MCF presented cultural programmes highlighting the need for conserving environment.