Drawing the attention of people on the need for proper maintenance of storm-water drains and road infrastructure following flooding in the city a week ago, Dakshina Kannada Principal District and Sessions Judge K.S. Bilagi on Tuesday asked citizens to take better care of the pristine environment in the city and surroundings.
Speaking at the World Environment Day function, organised by the district administration at St. Aloysius Pre-University College, Mr. Bilagi said unlike people from other regions, Mangalureans and Udupi residents were blessed with an environment with the sea on one side and the river and the Western Ghats on the other side.
“The least you can do is to plant few trees and retain the greenery in this coastal region,” he said.
Mr. Bilagi said that water-logging, inundation of few areas and other problems noticed following heavy rain on May 29 was nature’s reaction to citizens disregard for environment.
“We have caused harm to the environment by over-exploiting the river bed by extracting more sand,” he said and added that it was time for people to act and save the natural resources for the coming generation.
Asking students to enjoy nature and its beauty, Mr. Bilagi said youngsters should move out of their houses to see the beautiful moon and shining stars. The nature has enough examples of living in harmony, he said while citing the example of the way the crow takes care of eggs of Koel laid in former’s nest.
Mr. Bilagi and other dignitaries presented saplings to students of the college.
Mr. Bilagi said that he is inspired by the work of Deputy Conservator of Forests and officers from the Public Works Department at their houses to make his residence green.
Mr. Bilagi said, “My bungalow (in Lalbagh) is on the main road. My neighbours are officers from PWD and Forest Department, who have made their premises green. It’s a competition of sorts I have taken up to make my premises green like my neighbours,” he said.
The Forest Department has planted at Mr. Bilagi’s bungalow saplings of curry, cinnamon (Dalchini), Hebbalasu (wild jack) and champaka.
“I have planted 20 different saplings of flowers,” Mr. Bilagi said and added “I will be happy to provide a good view of green environment to those coming to a commercial complex in front,” he said.