FOR NATURE LOVERS: Environmentalist and actor Suresh Heblikar speaking at the three-day training camp for nature lovers at the Kannada University in Hampi on Saturday.

BELLARY: Environmentalist and actor Suresh Heblikar has stressed the need for eco-friendly development to ensure that the bio-diversity is not destroyed and nature is preserved.

He was speaking after inaugurating a three-day orientation camp for the coordinators of over 20 nature clubs set up in the district, at the Kannada University in Hampi on Saturday.

The programme was organised by Society for Wildlife and Nature (SWAN) in association with the Kannada University, MSPL Abhiraj Baldota Foundation and Daroji Bear Sanctuary.

Concern

Mr. Heblikar expressed concern over the population explosion and globalisation and said these had severely affected the bio-diversity, environment and ecology. He said these factors had been the cause for disappearance of different species of birds and animals and for water sources being depleted, and it was the duty of all to take up eco-friendly development to protect ecology and the environment for the future generations.

He appealed to nature clubs to develop bio-diversity parks by growing different varieties of trees that were suitable to the local soil conditions.

Harish Bhat, a naturalist and scientist from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, who inaugurated the nature club at the university, said such clubs should take the lead to protect the bio-diversity.

Kits

He handed over kits, each comprising binoculars and a field guide, to the coordinators of the nature clubs.

Book release

Moogalli Ganesh of the Kannada University released "Pakshi Prapancha" by Pramod Subbarao. He said the book was considered to be the first field guide for nature lovers.

Dean of the Department of Social Sciences at the Kannada University Devara Konda Reddy presided. Samad Kottur, a member of SWAN, and Pramod Subbarao spoke. Dr. Cheluvaraju, a professor from the university, welcomed the gathering. Pampaiahswamy, a member of SWAN, proposed a vote of thanks.

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