Dharwad: N G Balanagouda Government High School at Shirur in Navalgund taluk has bagged the “Parisara Mitra” school award and received Rs 30,000 cash and the award. The award is instituted by district administration to encourage greenery by planting saplings and nurturing them.

Twenty other schools selected under different parameters were given Rs 5,000 and Rs 4,000 each cash prize along with award.

District Principal and Sessions Judge V Shreeshanand handed over the prizes.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme veteran writer Guruling Kapse stressed on the need to conserve our ecosystem, prevent the environment from degrading and give space, fodder to all animals to live in their own domain.

“Every family should have a toilet. Clean India is the need of the hour. We all should join hands to keep our environment clean, he said.

The programme was held under the auspices of State Pollution Control Board, district administration, Department of Public Instructions, Hubballi-Dharwad Nagarika Parisara Samiti and Dharwad Regional Science Centre.

DDPI NH Nagur, Critic Dr. Giraddi Govindraj also spoke. Environmentalist Shankar Kumbi and Civil Judge S N Hegade among others were present.