Environmentalists should introspect, says Ponnuraj

Implement principles in your practice

Addressing the World Environment Day celebrations organised by Mangalore Special Economic Zone and the Department of Environment and Ecology at SDM Law College here on Friday, he said just growing plants does not fulfil one’s responsibility of environment protection, rather he should adopt the ideologies in his day to day life.

“Facts come out when you look into the real life of those who oppose developmental projects on the pretext of environment protection. One should ask how many books they have read about the people who had fought for the environment,” he said.

Ponnuraj said one should agree that there should be environmental-friendly development, but the proponents of the concept should also know the history of the environment movements. Personalities like Baba Amte should become our role models, he added.

In his address, MLA N Yogish Bhat said the governments have failed in giving priority to the environment while planning development activities.

He said that only environment protection could save the world from the present peril. “The city corporation and industries should handle the waste systematically and scientifically,” he said.

Mayor M Shankar Bhat presided. Zilla Panchayat in-charge President Venkat Dambekodi, MSEZ Managing Director I S N Prasad, Karnataka Forest Development Corporation Executive Director T V Mohandas, Department of Environment and Ecology Regional Director J N Patil, MSEZ Chief Operating Officer A G Pai and others were present.

Photo expo

A photo exhibition by MSEZ green belt advisor Dinesh M Nayak was inaugurated. It will be kept open on Saturday too. Nayak delivered a lecture on the bio-diversity of Western Ghats.