Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit called on people to reduce consumption levels, recycle and promote the use of renewable energy sources, during the inauguration function of the 123rd annual flower show at the Government Botanical Garden in Udhagamandalam on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Purohit quoted Mahatma Gandhi, stating that “Nature has enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not enough to satisfy every man’s greed.”

The Governor said that the use of electricity, vehicles and technology has definitely helped to make living conditions better, but said that resources need to be used judiciously.

“Today, the use of petrol and petroleum products, the use of plastics and the mindless dependence on artificial chemicals have resulted in serious environmental damage. That is why the nations of the world have been engaging themselves in the task of controlling carbon emissions,” he said.

Thousands of tourists visited the Government Botanical Garden on the first day of the flower show, which will continue till May 21. The main attraction at this year’s event was the exhibit featuring more than 1.5 lakh red and white carnation flowers, decorated to resemble the Indian parliament.

Tourists visiting the garden posed in front of the massive exhibit, measuring 21 feet in height and 84 feet in length, while other exhibits, such as an 8-foot-high flower basket made of marigolds was also a big hit. Selfie spots had also been set up at the garden.

Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government, speaking during the flower show, said that 19 percent of all the flowers produced across the country were from Tamil Nadu and said that the flower show in Udhagamandalam was one of the “most beautiful,” with the Government Botanical Garden drawing anywhere between 28-30 lakh tourists each year.

Also present at the inauguration of the flower show were A Rajagopal, Additional Chief Secretary to Governor, N Subbaiyan, Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, K Periaiah, Inspector General of Police, West Zone, G Karthikeyan, DIG of Police, Coimbatore Range, Nilgiris district collector, J Innocent Divya and District Superintendent of Police, D Shanmuga Priya.