Environment Day: Saplings planted, focus on plastic menace

Dharwad: Planting of saplings, weeding out plastic and other waste material dumped in the local tanks, talks on conservation, an oath to contain the plastic menace and drawing and essay competitions marked World Environment Day, organised by the forest department, Karnatak University and several other organisations.
Speaking at a programme organised in Karnatak University, the Dharwad circle chief conservator of forests, Manoj Kumar Tripathi, said that ecological imbalance had led to global warming and climate change.
Due to the shrinking of green area, the temperature was rising and posing a threat not only to mankind but to the rich flora and fauna, he said.
Water bodies are getting polluted and air pollution is leading rise to several respiratory infections. Ecological imbalance is also posing a threat to food production, he added. To contain the rise in diseases, it is the duty of all to protect nature and keep their surroundings clean, Tripathi said.
Deputy commissioner Gurudatt Hegde said every citizen should take a pledge to end the plastic menace. “Single-use plastic is a major source of pollution. People should adopt eco-friendly measures and play a role in conserving the environment,” he said.
The HDMC has signed an MoU with the forest department on using the “City Compost” produced by the civic body from the waste collected from households. KU vice-chancellor K B Gudasi presided over the programme.
HDMC commissioner B Gopal Krishna, KU registrar Yashpal Ksheersagar, ZP CEO Dr Suresh Itnal and others were present. At another event on the district court premises, principal district and sessions judge Umesh Adiga planted saplings.
He said deforestation was leading to a shortage of natural oxygen. It is the bounden duty of all to hand over a greener planet to the future generation, he said.
The students of JSS Shri Manjunatheshwar CBSE School and JSS UG & PG Centre observed Environment Day by planting saplings. Some students came to the event attired as trees, birds and wild animals.
The SDM University planted saplings at the Government Higher Primary School in Mansur village. University registrar Chidendra M Shettar and deputy registrars Ajantha G S and Sunil KM planted the saplings.
Dr Pratima Murthy, the director of Nimhans, who visited the Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (DIMHANS) planted saplings too. DIMHANS director Dr Mahesh Desai was present.
NWKRTC celebrates Environment Day
The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) planted saplings at the regional training centre (RTC) here on Sunday.
Bharat S, the managing director, led the effort.
Narayanappa Kurubar, the principal of RTC, chief technical architect HM Ramesh, chief traffic manager Rajesh Hudder, joint chief labour and welfare officer Shashidhar Kumbar, chief staff manager Vijayashree Naragund, board secretary Malathi S S, chief computer manager H Ramanagoudara, managing director’s secretary Kumaraswamy, assistant executive engineer Diwakara Yaraguppa, computer manager MB Kapali and other officials planted 250 saplings.
After the event, they gave away saplings to bus passengers at the Central Bus Stand on Gokul Road. TL
Srinath, the divisional controller of the Hubballi Rural Division, divisional officers and staff were present .