Karkala: ‘Each citizen, one sapling and every house, one water harvesting pit’ was the aim of Parisara Utsav program which was launched on June 10. It has shown good progress and in the last phase 25,000 saplings will be planted in the taluk limits.

Launching the last phase on July 24, the chief whip of opposition in the assembly, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said, that instead of planting new sapling in old pits, it is better to nurture one-year-old saplings by sprinkling water and providing soil cushion to the roots. Instead of planting sapling below power lines, road edges and construction sites which are cut later, he felt it’s better to plant the saplings in free zones.

He appreciated the efforts made in the taluk in water harvesting program which exceeded expectations. He lauded the efforts of education, social and religious organizations in promoting the program, which according to him has enhanced Karkala’s image at state level. By planting quality saplings and by water harvesting, bore wells in the area will get replenished due to increase in ground water levels, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Conservator of forests, Subramanya, said the government will lend total support to the initiative and opined that this move will help in the future to counter severe water shortage faced in most parts of the state during summer.

Officials from forest department, village panchayat, senior members of RSS, SKDRDP, Rotary and Rotract clubs and leading advocates from the area were present on the occasion along with other prominent citizens of the town.