'Protect bio-diversity, forest resources'

Speaking at one-day training programme on ‘Bio-diversity of Kodagu and its maintenance’ at Forest College in Ponnampet on Wednesday, he said “Kodagu is one of the hot spots of bio-diversity. Forest officials and revenue officials should come forward to protect it. It is our duty to protect the Devarakadu.

Kodagu is one district which has highest green cover. About 73 per cent of the land is covered under forest while as many as 1,500 varieties of plants can be seen in Kodagu.

He said “sandalwood, teak, honne, rose woods have medicinal values. We should concentrate on conserving it. About 30 per cent of the land in Kodagu is covered by coffee, cardamom plantations.”

Zilla Panchayat CEO Mirja Akbarulla said “natural resources are depleting as our lifestyles change. It is our duty to preserve nature.”

Greedy nature of human being is responsible for the depletion of natural resources. There is a need to create an awareness on environment among people.

Ponnampet Forest College Principal Dr N A Prakash said “forest officials and elected representatives play a vital role in protecting the bio-diversity and forest land.”

Kodagu is a treasure house of bio-diversity. However, the medicinal plants, wildlife and birds are on decline these days. Forest College lecturer Dr C G Kushalappa, M N Ramesh also spoke.