Mysuru: “To empower farmers and provide them financial stability, ‘Silvi Horticulture’ is a good procedure which will also help preserve the ecological balance,” opined State JD(S) President A.H. Vishwanath.

He was chairing an interaction on ‘Innovative Vanathotagarike’ organised by Forest Department at Mysuru Zoo recently in the wake of the floods in Kodagu and Kerala. It was Co-ordinated by retired Secretary of the Forest Department A.C. Lakshmana.

Vishwanath said that a delegation of farmers, agriculture Scientist and environmentalist would be taken to meet Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to discuss on Silvi or Forest Horticulture. He assured to take up the issue of revising the grading of Sandalwood as it has not been done for decades.

Lakshmana taking a cue from overzealous developments in California, USA and its impact on environment said that, if degradation of environment was arrested, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would rise by 4.5%. He pointed out that nature was unpredictable and can bring surprise unless adequate measures were taken to balance the ecology. He said that the rising population and industrialisation had increased carbon content in atmosphere terribly.

Farmers and stakeholders who participated in the interaction discussed on security system for Sandalwood farms and on related matter. Zoo Authority of Karnataka Member Secretary B.P. Ravi, DCF D. Manjunath, Retired APCCF A.M. Annaiah and others were present.