Karnataka: Minister's idea to save forests a hit
The idea is to sow seeds of forest conservation early in them so that they could contribute their mite in wildlife conservation.
CHIKKAMAGALURU: Since Village Forest Committees (VHCs) and Eco-Development Committees have failed in giving expected results to the forest department when it comes to conservation, forest officials have embarked upon a programme, ‘Chinnara Vana Darshan’ to educate students and inculcate conservation aspects in them at an early age.
The idea of Minister for Forests Ramanath Rai was launched for the first time in the Western Ghats in the state. The programme was held in Mudigere sub-division of Chikkamagaluru on Friday and Saturday in Muthodi forest under the Bhadra Tiger Reserve with 75 highschool students participating in it.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Dinesh Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that the idea is to sow seeds of forest conservation early in them so that they could contribute their mite in wildlife conservation.
The programme, the ACF said, comprised trekking in the forest to identify trees, birds, herbs and shrubs, besides demonstration on conservation efforts in Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Kali Tiger Reserve and others forest areas.
In the safari, the students had to identify predators such as tigers and leopards upon their sighting but students were disappointed not to find big cats except for pug marks.