Dakshina Kannada takes a green pledge on I-Day

MANGALURU: Dakshina Kannada ushered in 72nd Independence Day on a green note formally launching the coalition government’s much vaunted project – Haseeru Karnataka. Announced by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in his maiden budget presented last month, the project will see participation of all stakeholders to promote the idea of a tree for each house, plantation for each city, small forest for a taluk and forest for a district.
Minister for urban development and housing U T Khader, who launched this project at district level Independence Day function, also administered a pledge to the gathering to preserve and protect green cover in Dakshina Kannada district. The above idea will materialise with participation of school-college students, Greens, local voluntary organisations, individual green volunteers, general public and others, Khader surmised.

Khade said the programme will be implemented across the district for next 4-days up to Saturday. All departments must join this mammoth afforestation exercise and seek cooperation of the forest department to ensure its success, he said.

Haseeru Karnataka will see stakeholders come together on a single platform under leadership of their local elected representatives and plant saplings in vacant plots in government and private land, on premises of all departmental offices, schools and colleges. Khader appealed to all citizens to ensure a green Dakshina Kannada in general and greener Karnataka in particular.