Conserve nature, says Judge

Protecting the ecological balance is everyone’s responsibility, said Labour Court Judge A S Sadalage.

Speaking at the World Earth Day and Legal Awareness programme organised jointly by the District Legal Services Authority, Department of Information and Public Relations, Bar Association and Department of Backward Classes, at post matric girls hostel, at Nariguddanahalli, he said deforestation, mining, setting of polluting industries, increased number of vehicles are causing ecological imbalance.

Agricultural lands are being converted into concrete structures which in turn result in rising temperature, he added.

He appealed to the people to plant saplings in and around vacant land near their surroundings and vehicles including two wheelers and four wheelers should be used only when absolutely needed.

He also said that one should develop compassion and love towards nature. He stated that a few progressive countries have adopted cycling as a means of sustainable transport and that we should learn from such initiatives.

He called upon the citizens to avail the facilities of the Legal Services Authority set up at the district, state and national levels which facilitates in creating legal awareness and legal help.

Principal Senior Civil Judge S N Hegde noted that despite the involvement of 193 nations in observing World Earth Day, the levels of pollution have not substantially reduced. He said that the World Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970.

He also said, "Plastics are harmful to the environment and we should shift from plastic bags to more eco-friendly bags such as cloth and paper bags. Water should be utilised judiciously and wastage of water should be avoided."

Department of Backward Classes district officer S R Manjunath, Pollution Control Board environment officer E Prakash and lawyer Parvathibai were present.