'Need to spread awareness on environment, ecology'

VC speaks on conserving sensitive areas of W Ghats

Environment, energy and ecology are the three key parameters for sustainable development. Unfortunately these three areas are under threat, said Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof K Byrappa.

“Hence, it is high time to create awareness in the minds of public, particularly in children, policy makers and government, in order to have sustainable development,” said the vice chancellor, addressing a gathering after inaugurating “Lake 2016,” an international conference on “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Ecologically Sensitive Regions in Western Ghats,” organised by Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru), Alva’s College Moodbidri and Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, at the Dr V S Acharya Auditorium on Wednesday.

Prof Byrappa said that environment is polluted by various reasons. Stating that man-made and natural calamities are adversely affecting the ecological system, he said that urbanisation has increased the population, which in turn has been pressurising water and sanitation facilities and resulting in environmental pollution and health hazards.

“In this juncture, man has to think of alternative energy or non-conventional energy roots,” he said and added that there is vast potential in India as the country is blessed with enormous amount of sunlight, rainwater and wind energy, which it should utilise properly.

In his key note address, Dr T V Ramachandra, from CES, IISc (Bengaluru) and chairman of Lake Conference, said that the Western Ghats is spread only on 2.5% of the total geographical area of India. “Unfortunately, we fail to protect this small biosphere. Make Mother Earth wear green saree and don’t make her wear skirt,” he said and added that out of Rs 5,798 crore GDP of India, forest contributes only 3%, which is very negligible.

Noting that erroneous judgement kept the Cauvery issue alive, he said that rejuvenating water bodies, lakes, ponds, and streams can really make a difference in preserving water bodies and maintaining the temperature.

Shri Sonda Swarnaswamiji Mutt (Sirsi) seer Sri Gangadharendra Saraswathi Swami said that encroachment of lakes area, low level of groundwater and our mindset towards environment are three reasons for all the problems present in the system.

“Rainwater harvesting, green vegetation, planting more saplings will retain the level of groundwater,” he said and stressed that strong law should be enforced towards protection of environment. He also stressed the need to drop Kappadagudda and Yettinahole projects for longer benefit of society and environment.

Presiding over the programme, Alva’s Education Foundation chairman Dr Mohan Alva called upon youth not to cultivate anything for fashion. “Instead, make it a passion, it may be hobbies or love towards environment,” he said. In the first technical session, Ananth Hegde Ashisar spoke on conservation of Western Ghats.

Sri Jain Mutt (Moodbidiri) seer Swasthi Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Pandithacharyavarya Swami, environmentalist Suresh Heblikar, MLA K Abhayachandra Jain, Vagdedvi Foundation CEO Harish Krishnamurthy, Alva’s Education foundation trustee Vivek alva, Alva’s College principal Prof Kurian, Vidyanikethan School (Bengaluru) CEO Vijai Rajagopalan were present.