Mysuru: Highlighting the importance of the forest, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Mysuru Region Manjunath said that life would not be possible without trees and forest.

He was speaking after inaugurating a street play focussed on creating awareness about forest fires organised jointly by the Department of Forest, Mysuru  region, Bannerghatta Environment and Wildlife Protection Committee at Maharani’s College for Women in city recently.

“Our ancestors were worshipping forest like temples long ago, but nowadays, forest turned up as pleasure-hub for people to enjoy, while some people are still eking out a living in forest by collecting firewood, consuming tubers and other forest minor produces, he added.

Apart from capturing and storing atmospheric carbon, forests also perform a host of other services like a source of medicines, foods and fibre, protecting watershed, repository of terrestrial biological diversity, and provide fuel, employment and income to poor people.

In her speech, Managing Director of the Environment and Wildlife Protection Committee Nalini M. Gowda said that human involvement was one of the major causes for forest fires.

The Committee has been making all efforts to spread awareness among people about prevention of forest fires, protection of flora and fauna by staging street plays, she added.

The Committee members performed street plays at Chamundi Hill, Lalithadripura, Chikkagadiyara Circle and other   parts of the city.

Chamundi Urban Forestry Range Forest Officer Govindaraj, Vinutha, Forest Guards Virupaksha, Jagadeesha and others led the street play at Chamundi Hill and Lalithadripura.

Forest officials Mallesh, Swamy, Gagan, Environmentalist Mysuru Ramesh led the street play at Maharani’s College and Chikkagadiyara Circle.