Include biodiversity component in sea erosion project - Ananth Hegde

Include biodiversity component in sea erosion project - Ananth Hegde

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 2: Ananth Hegde Ashishara, the chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force, spoke of the importance of including the biodiversity component in the Ullal sea erosion prevention project. 

Interacting with reporters on Saturday, he said that sea erosion can be checked by creating a green belt of casuarinas along the coast. Stating that this green belt will check both sea and wind erosion, he said that the pilot project should include biodiversity and environmental components. He also spoke of the need for discussion and for the involvement of local fishing communities in the project.

Speaking on a drive to project jackfruit variants, he said that 400 saplings of 26 variants of jackfruit have been planted in the premises of the Forest Research Centre, Sirsi. These varieties were collected from Malnad villages, he said, adding that 2000 more saplings are now being made ready. Speaking of the need to promote the jackfruit as a major fruit, he said that efforts are now being made to collect varieties of midimaavu in the region. 

Listing various Hasiru Kavacha activities, he said that 1 lakh lavancha and 17,000 honne saplings have been planted in the Kundapur Forest Division. In the Mangalore Forest Division, saplings have been planted along the roadside for 13kms beside the sea while 1.25 lakh lavancha plants have been planted along a 7km stretch and 12,750 Honne saplings have been planted.
It has also been proposed that tree parks should be set up in Pilikula and Badagubettu in Udupi. As part of the Hasiru Kavacha Yojane, sapling planting will be done along the Mogaveerapattana shore on Saturday, he said. 

Regarding steps taken to protect endangered species, he said that Karnataka has 23 medicinal plants conservation areas where measures have been taken to conserve endemic medicinal plants. He also said that there are 95 forest committees in Mangalore and Kundapur Forest Division. 

He said that the task force plans to enhance environmental awareness through cultural programmes, including drama and yakshagana.