Mysuru: Environment conservation is everyone’s responsibility and achieving Green Mysuru should be our goal, said Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha.

He was speaking after inaugurating a massive sapling planting programme organised by Forest Department in association with various organisations to mark World Environment Day celebrations at Daivi Vana located on the foot of Chamundi Hill, here this morning.

Forest Department has launched planting of saplings to ensure there is ecological balance.

“It is important to plant as many saplings as possible to have timely rainfall and ensure there is enough water to prevent drought-like situation,” he added.

MP Pratap Simha also lauded the Forest Department for successfully planting nearly 5 lakh saplings around the Ring Road.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA G.T. Devegowda said that in the current scenario it was important to grow as many plants as possible and added that deforestation had caused severe drought in the State for the past two years.

DCF Karikalan said that Chief Minister Siddharamaiah had launched the programme ‘Forest for Water’ under which the Department will work filling the forest with more greenery which in turn will help in bringing us rainfall.

People come to us every year asking for saplings but they need to understand that only planting saplings will not fetch good results as they have to be maintained well and protected with constant supply of water.

Around 200 volunteers, who participated in today’s Chamundi Hill. JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Chief Conservator of Forest Karunakar, DCFs Nagaraj and Yelukondalu and others were present.

Meanwhile, member of Rural Literacy and Health Programme (RLHP) took out an awareness jatha in city to create awareness on various environmental issues.

The jatha was flagged off by MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha by watering a tree sapling in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple. The jatha passed through K.R. Circle before stopping at Dufferin Clock Tower where they staged a street play and continued the jatha on D. Devaraja Urs Road, JLB Road, Hunsur Road and culminated at the DC’s office.

Activists demanded the State Government to make it mandatory for installing Rain Water Harvesting system in new houses and layouts, 10 saplings for chopping of one tree, increase the tree population in the city through social forestry among others.