Karwar (DHNS): Forest wealth and bio-diversity can be maintained only if every citizen plays the role of a forest warden. Forest officials have to encourage people to grow more trees and increase green cover, District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande said.

Addressing the Hornbill Fest, being held at Dandeli, in Uttara Kannada, on Saturday, Deshpande said, fests are important so that people can learn about the rich biodiversity and, in the process, develop love of flora and fauna.

Conserving forests

Similar fests should be held in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Dakshin Kannada where forest land is more, Deshpande said, asking forest officials to look into his proposal to hold more such programmes.

More than forest department, people of Uttara Kannada have been conserving forests.

Kunabi community people worship trees and do not allow anyone to cut trees. If such an attitude is developed among other people, the forest region can be conserved for future generation, Deshpande noted.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) P Sridhar said, natural forests in the State was shrinking. If these forests turn into concrete jungles, people would have to go in search of water and food to other planets.

Duty of all

Karnataka Environment Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Alexander said, like Kerala is called as ‘Gods Own Country’, Uttara Kananda should be called ‘Gods Own District’.

Protecting the lush, rich verdant land and handing it over to the future generation is the duty of all, he said.

MLC S L Ghotnekar, Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul, SP Vinayak Patil and others were present.

CMC President Nagesh Salunki presided over.