Mangaluru: Minister for Ports and Fisheries and Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary has called upon all elected representatives to be considerate towards forest-dwelling communities.

Addressing the ‘Vrukshothsava-2019’ programme organised by Department of Forest in association with the district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation and other organisations, at Town Hall, on Tuesday, September 24, he said that though the elected representatives support the forest dwellers, it does not mean that they are against the forest department.”We are committed to supporting the forest department in preserving the forest,” he said.

“Salumarada Thimmakka, who has treated trees like her own children and veteran folk singer Sukri Bommagowda were presented prestigious Padma Shri award for their immense contribution for our country by nurturing nature and culture. Earlier, there was a notion among the public that such awards are given to only the rich and powerful, but the union government has changed this perception and has shown financial background had no significance when it comes to recognising service to society”, Kota added.

Ekagamyananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mission, delivering the keynote address at the programme asked the district administration to identify 50 locations in Mangaluru city limits to set up urban forest. ” As we are constructing buildings by felling trees in every corner, we need to set up urban forest by planting saplings too on the other hand. The members of Ramakrishna Mission with its volunteers of Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan are ready to plant around 2 lakh trees in coming days”, he said.

Meanwhile, winners in quiz competition were presented cash awards and trophy. Senior civil judge and member secretary of district legal services authority A G Gangadhar administered oath on preserving forest.

Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru, Puneet Pathak, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DFO), Mangaluru, Dr  Karikalan, DFO Kundapur, Kamala Karikalan , Zilla Panchayat president Meenakshi Shantigodu, Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat president Mohammed Monu among others were present.