TREE PLANTING PR0JECT BY WESTERN GHAT ACTION FORCE;

Madikeri June 26

Chairman of the Western Ghat Action force, Anantha Hegade Ashisara disclosed here that they intend to plant one crore saplings in the state.

Inaugurating the tree planting project at Kadagadal School near here yesterday, he stated that he intends to bring awareness all over the state about planting of trees and intends to reach the target by the end of August. He opined that the tree planting will be carried out by involving public, schools and peoples representatives.

Hegade called upon people to grow trees in plain lands, field and hillocks. He asked them to develop the knowledge about the herbal values of plants and trees and protect them. Tree planting is essential as they are being chopped off in town and borders, he asserted. In charge DFO Ravi, Gram Panchayath president Bharathi Thimmaiah spoke on the occasion.

Hegade visited Devara Kaadu and insisted on putting up boards giving details about the area.

BIO DIVERSITY COMMITTEES TO PRESERVE NATURE

Anantha Hegade disclosed that Bio Diversity committees would be formed in all the villages to preserve nature and to protect trees.

Addressing press here after conducting official level meeting, he said that under section 03 of Bio Diversity act; all villages should have such committees. He regretted that many villages do not even know about it. He instructed the Zilla Panchayath to look into the matter and form committees.

He disclosed that Mining is prohibited in western ghat and the government has given its consent. He said that there are about four thousand forest committees involving the villagers in the state and they should be activitated to preserve Devarkadoos. The gocvernnment had spent rupees two crores to preserve devarkadu during last year and Wester ghat Action committee is urging it to release more fund. He said that Devara kaadu exists at Kodagu, Shimoga and Uttara Kannada and they need to be protected.

ACFO Vijayakumar was present.

MEETING OF STATE FOREST OFFICIERS IN KODAGU

Member of the Parliament, Adaguru Vishwanath told here that the state forest officials are asked to meet in Kodagu to discuss the problems being faced by people due to elephant menace.

Addressing scribes here yesterday, he said that he is aware of the man and elecphant conflict in the district and has already instructed the government to draw a solution. He also informed that he has spoken to the central minister farook Abdulla and would be providing solar fence to five Tribal colonies and those colonies were also adopted .

Reacting to the implemntaion of forest act allowing Tribes to settle down in the forest, he said that there are conflicting rules. People cannot dwell inside a tiger forest, as per one rule. On the other habd, law is amended to allow Tribes to stay inside the reserved forests. He said that he is consulting central and state ministers in this respect and a high level meeting would be conducted to solve the issue.

Vishwanath said with regrets that everything in Kodagu is carried out by “Incharge Officials”, whereas many top posts are vacant. He said that the MLAs’ should look into it as the development of a district depends on its officials.