Hassan: Zonal Forest Officer Hemant has said that natural calamities are occurring in the country today due to imbalances in the environment.
He was speaking during a programme at the Times International School in Vijayanagara on Saturday, organized by the Rotary Club of Hassan Royal, Clothing Store, Bhima Jewellers, Jiva Rakshak Rakta Nidhi Kendra and Vinay Children’s Hospital, in conjunction with Times Hasira Siri Sasotsava, to distribute 10,000 saplings in pursuit of afforestation in 2024.
“There should ideally be 31 percent forest area in the country, but we have only 26 percent of forested land today. Therefore, we are experiencing natural calamities all over. Planting and nurturing saplings should not be thought of as the work of the government alone or the forest department, but that of every citizen as well. The recent natural disaster (floods in Wayanad) in Kerala should be a lesson to all. In this regard, such programmes organized by Times School will be more beneficial. We need to educate children about the importance of the environment along with growing saplings from an early age. Many stringent laws have been implemented at the government level for the preservation of the environment. Forest encroachment is against the law,” he added.
“If the environment is to be protected, it is imperative that children be taught how to nurture the environment from school level itself,” Hemant said.
Journalist Ravi Nakalagudu, winner of the Salu Marada Thimmakka award for 2024, said on the occasion that human beings are the reason why the environment is against us today. “Because we are destroying nature due to extreme greed, nature is hitting us back. As a result, animals are entering habitats currently occupied by us. Soil bonding should be taught to children at school itself. Else, we are doomed,” he added.
“Times Gangadhar is giving away 10,000 saplings to his school students every year for free. Children and parents need to understand their importance, and put the saplings to good use. Preserving the environment should be a collective effort of the people as well as the government,” he added.
Times Education Secretary, B.K. Gangadhar, on the occasion said that parents should give their children a good environment by planting and nurturing a couple of saplings for the nourishment of Mother Earth. “If there is land, we immediately plot it into sites and build homes. There is little respect left for nature,” he felt.
After the programme, saplings were distributed to the students of the school and their parents.
Former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Hassan District Unit, Nayakarahalli Manjegowda, Life Saving Blood Fund Center head Mohan, Rotary Club of Hassan Royal President Sachin, Secretary Puneeth, Treasurer Ravi, Members Yogesh, Girish, Kiran, Yogesh, Dilip Kumar H.K., and Times School Head Teacher Jessie Shyam were present.
