Mysuru: Mysuru Sub-Divisional Forest officer A.S. Manju has expressed disappointment over forests becoming picnic and entertainment spots for youths of present generation. He was speaking after inaugurating the street play ‘Kadgichu’ (forest fires), jointly organised by the Department of Forest, Mysuru region and Bannerghatta Environment and Wildlife Protection Committee, at Maharani’s College premises yesterday.

Pointing out that people of yesteryears used to treat forests as God, Manju maintained that forests were very much of human life and human beings cannot live in the absence of trees around.

Expressing concern over rapid decline of forest cover, he said that forest fires have been wreaking havoc on the life of man and other creatures.

He called for conducting widespread awareness campaigns on prevention of forest fires.