Green I-day celebrated in Mangaluru, Mysuru

For the first time, the Forest Department participated in the Independence Day parade organised by the district administration at Bannimantap grounds, in Mysuru, on Wednesday.

District in-charge minister G T Devegowda hoisted the tricolour and conveyed his wishes to the people.

Two teams of Forest Department personnel led by Deputy Range Forest Officers Kavya and Basavaraju took part in the parade.

Following the celebration, the minister launched 'Hasiru Karnataka' (green Karnataka), a three-day sapling planting programme.

As part of the drive, the Forest department will distribute saplings and also plant them in forest and government lands in coming weeks.

I-day at Mangaluru

District in-charge minister U T Khader launched 'Hasiru Karnataka', the green campaign of the state government in Mangaluru, during Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday.

"The motto of the government is at least one tree for each house, a grove for each village, a mini forest for each taluk and a forest for each district," he said.

The drive will be held till August 18. It is a campaign involving all government departments and various NGOs in the district.

For the first time, Forest department personnel took part in the Independence Day parade to mark the launch of the campaign.

A total of 19 contingents including the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) participated in the parade.

Speaking after hoisting the tricolour, Khader said that measures would be taken to set up an Indian Coast Guard National Academy in Dakshina Kannada district.