The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Empower people to avert eco-disasters'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 06, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

`Empower people to avert eco-disasters'

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHAGAMANDALA (KODAGU DT.), JUNE 5. K.C. Cariappa, retired Air Marshal, has said that empowering village communities in the preservation of environment is the best way to prevent ecological disasters.

He was speaking at a World Environment Day function on Cauvery Junior College campus on Saturday. The Kodagu Model Forest Trust and Nirmala Kodagu, a non-governmental organisation, organised the event.

"We have a duty and responsibility towards protecting Nature'', Mr. Cariappa said. Referring to the Chipko movement, in which women played a major role in saving trees, Mr. Cariappa called for creating awareness among the younger generation about conservation of environment.

The Deputy Commissioner, Srikant Valagad, who presided over the function, said the increase in population had an adverse impact on the environment.

Calling upon people to plant saplings, Mr. Valagad said proper planning and an awakening among people would help preserve Nature. Earlier, he released the logo of the trust.

Volunteers of Nirmala Kodagu administered an oath on the protection of the environment to the participants. K.P. Uthappa, former director of the Coorg Foundation, who was instrumental in developing a Tapovana at Talacauvery, handed over charge of the project to the College of Forestry, Ponnampet.

C.S.P. Patil, Director of Instruction of the college, and C.G. Kushalappa, Associate Professor, accepted the charge on behalf of the college.

Dr. Kushalappa said the project would be managed for three years by the college and the Gurukula Botanical Trust of Wayanad in Kerala which would give scientific inputs. The foundation had spent Rs. 9 lakh on the project.

Earlier, Kodira A. Kushalappa, former Chief Conservator of Forests, who is the chairman of the technical subcommittee of the trust, inaugurated the function. He said people rather than forest officials should take an active part in the management of environment.

Narayanachar, who has organised the Brahmagiri Self-Help Group to manage the Tapovana project locally, said the local people and merchants from Kerala should be blamed for the degradation of Kodagu forests.

K.N. Changappa, chairman of the trust and director of the foundation, who gave an account of the trust, said it would strive towards a better environment by incorporating a sustainable management practice.

The Centre for Environment Education organised a street play to spread the message of conservation and the importance of rainwater harvesting. P.M. Aiyanna of Nirmala Kodagu welcomed the gathering. Dr. C.S.P. Patil, who is also the vice-chairman of the trust, proposed a vote of thanks.

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