Tree Planting program was organized Monday at Babryabailu in Koila village, Bantwal Taluk. The event was organized in collaboration with Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, B.C. Trust (R.), as part of the social forestry program. Tree planting was carried out in the premises of Babrya Daivasthana, followed by the formal program.

The chief guest, Shri Krishna Naik, Deputy Range Forest Officer, Bantwal, speaking on the occasion, said, “For the well-being of the global population, 33% tree cover is essential. Despite numerous benefits from forests, we have been destroying them in the name of development. In recent days, there is more rain, but the number of rainy days is decreasing. This needs to increase, and for that, forests are essential.”

Shri Manoj Menezes, Regional Director of the Agriculture Department, stated, “Deforestation is the root cause of natural calamities. Water, land, and animal species are God’s property, and it is our responsibility to take proper care of them. Environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility. For the past 5 years, under the social forestry program of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, 7 crore wild fruit saplings have been planted and protected. “On this occasion, fruit saplings were distributed to the representatives of the Shourya unit.

Shri Jaynand P, Bantwal Taluk Project Officer, welcomed the gathering, Smt. Harinakshi, Zonal Supervisor, offered the vote of thanks, and Shri Bhaskar, Taluk Agriculture Officer, compered the program.