Volunteers of Parisarakkagi Naavu organisation in association with Rural Literacy and Health Programme (RLHP) and Youth for Sustainability organisation, celebrated World Environment Day, by removing the concrete and tiles covering the base of 24 big trees on Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) Main Road in city on June 5.

Speaking on the occasion, Parashurame Gowda, General Secretary of Parisarakkagi Naavu demanded the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and Forest Department to remove concrete, tiles and asphalt, from tree bases in compliance with the order of National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Earlier, various organisations had made several representations to MCC and Forest Department to remove the concrete, interlock tiles and asphaltation, covering the base of trees to allow water percolate down to the roots. Due to the lack of water and other nutrients, the roots were becoming weak, affecting the growth of trees.

Alerted over this alarming condition, NGT had issued directions to remove the concrete, tiles and asphalt within one-metre radius of the trees.

MCC and Forest Department, though acted on NGT order, restricted the action only for the trees on some roads of the city, leaving thousands of trees on many other roads as it is.

Parashurame Gowda appealed to the public to join hands for the green initiative to save trees in city that are facing threats in the forms of global warming and adverse weather conditions.  Even the mankind and other living beings are not spared from the threats posed by inclement weather conditions, he rued.

Saraswathi of RLHP said, the organisation is involved in educating students, youngsters and people in rural areas about the importance of conserving the environment. There is a need for awareness about community-based movement, she added.

Maj. Gen. (retired) S.G. Vombatkere, Star of Mysore columnist Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem, heritage expert Prof. N.S. Rangaraju, Prof. Kalachanne Gowda, Shyamala, Nabijaan, Ravi Bale, Lolakumar, Krishna, Bhanu Prashanth, Gantaiah, Kamakshi Gowda, Vishwanath, Leela Shivakumar, Leela Venkatesh, Anjana, Mansoor Ahmed, Nasrulla, Sudheer, Shivashankar, Bangara Nayak, Chetan, Prabha, Shobha, Bhagya, Shylajesh, Ganesh, Indira, Susheela, Mahadeva Swamy, Chetan, Sara Misra, Jayalakshmi, Swapna, Srishti, Praveen, Charan and Prabhakar took part in the World Environment Day celebration.