Mysuru: Janachetana Trust and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch together had organised a workshop on ‘preparation of seed balls’ at the premises of Gopalaswamy Shishu Vihara Shikshana Samsthe premises near Nanjumalige on Tuesday.

Inaugurating the programme, the 82-year-old Lake Messiah Kere Kamegowda of Dasanadoddi in BG Pura hobli of Malavalli taluk District asked the students in a humble tone to save water bodies and trees without which the land will be totally barren.

Kamegowda is a true environmentalist sans any publicity who has ventured to build 14 Lakes and has won many awards including the Rajyotsava award for his remarkable achievement.

Interacting with the students, Kamegowda expressed his love and concern for the environment in his own inimitable rural style. “I did not construct Lakes for myself but for the younger generation, as I am very old now. You should love and protect environment. There is no point in depending on politicians for every development. One should revere a tree than Shiva and Ganga.

Hence, trees and water should be protected. Not taking care of them has resulted in scanty rainfall and drought everywhere. Children should convince their parents on this concept and evolve a big movement,” he suggested.

Trust President Prasanna N. Gowda opined that tributaries of main rivers should be protected. Stating that the ‘Seed Ball Campaign’ would be of great help to grow more trees, he said that it was proposed to plant about two lakh seed balls of 250 varieties at Mullugudda near  Nanjangud. Another 10,000 saplings too would be planted at various places.

Swadeshi Jagaran Manch State Convenor N.R. Manjunath  was present on the occasion.