Karnataka - Mangalore   

‘Green Mangalore’ mission begins

M. Raghuram

Forest Department to plant 10,000 saplings

MANGALORE: The Forest Department has decided to plant 10,000 saplings in Mangalore City Corporation limits in the next two months. It has planted 3,000 saplings in various pockets.

It is felt that Mangalore city is fast losing its green cover. Last year, the figures with the district office showed that the green cover in the city had dropped to 17 per cent which is far below the healthy level of 33 per cent. This was attributed to the denudation of social forests in the city for roads, buildings, commercial complexes and civic amenities. Greenery, however, is restricted to a few areas in the city.

Stating this condition as undesirable DFO of Mangalore Vijayakumar told The Hindu that a city had to grow but so should its green cover. By planting 10,000 saplings this season, it could be possible to cover some areas under social forestry, but it was not enough. The survival rate of saplings in Dakshina Kannada was though higher than other regions, for want of space and awareness they would not survive their full growth. Mangalore faced another problem.

The region did not have exotic varieties as other regions had. The choice of species should be made with care, keeping in view the survival rate. This was also a blessing in disguise, Mr. Vijaya Kumar said, as the system demanded only Western Ghats-endemic species.

Three botanists Gopalakrishna Bhat, late B.V. Shetty and K.M. Kaveriappa, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University, in their book, “Plant resources of Western Ghats and low lands of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi”, stated that there were 75 species of trees that were endemic to the Western Ghats. They would grow well in coastal low lands. The book stated that species such as Vateria indica (dhoopada mara) Polyalthia fragrans (Gowri mara) Pinaga dicksonii (Palme) Hopea Ponga ( Doddele bogi) Largestromia microcarpa (Bili nandi) would grow well in coastal low lands too, he said.

Mr. Vijaya Kumar said the Forest Department had identified some common tree species found in the Western Ghats such as honge, mahagony, jack and wild jack, holae dasavala, matti and ramapatre which were suitable for planting in the city. Wherever possible, the department would plant bamboo (ornamental species) in the city.

He said “Green Mangalore” was a big mission and could not be accomplished without the help of the people, non-governmental organisations, youth clubs and managements of schools and educational institutions. The Mangalore City Corporation also had to play a lead role in identifying areas that could be included in the “Green Mangalore” project, he added.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Mangalore A. Abbas said residents’ associations, ward committees and apartment associations should support the project by protecting trees planted in their areas. The corporate world had been asked to donate tree guards, he added.

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