Mysore/Mysuru: The city based Uttishta Bharat Pratishtana launched save soil campaign at a function organised at Patrakarthara Bhavan here recently. Speaking after launching the campaign by watering a plant, Raitha Kalyana Sangha State President C. Chandan Gowda said that soil erosion has becoming a pressing problem these days.

Stressing on the need for soil conservation, he expressed concern that in the absence of immediate measures, the quality of soil will deteriorate, leading to environmental damage.

Lamenting that indiscrete use of fertilisers in cultivation has resulted in 62 percent of soil erosion, he said that the Governments must wake up at least now regarding the environmental disaster that is waiting to happen and take appropriate measures for preserving soil fertility.

Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, in his address, lauded the campaign for preserving soil fertility. Regretting that soil erosion has become a crucial factor in farming, he said that indiscrete and lavish use of Mother Earth has led to many disasters, most of which can be termed as man made. Expressing concern over increasing use of fertilisers and other chemical compounds, he said that this awareness campaign will help the people understand the importance of maintaining soil fertility and the disastrous effects of soil erosion.

Social worker K. Raghuram  Vajpayee released the new year calendar brought out by the Pratishtana. The calendar features cartoons created by noted cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu, Ayodhya Sri Ram mandir  and Chandrayaan Mission.

Farmer leader C. Chandan Gowda was presented with ‘Raitha Ratna’ award and felicitated on the occasion. Dattakriya Yoga teacher G. Mohan, Pratishtana Secretary and noted Cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu, Executive Committee members Jayasimha, Sridhar, N. Ananth and others were present.