Natural wealth must be preserved : Anantha Hegde Ashisara

17.03.10 : Anantha Hegde Ashisara , President of Western Ghat Task Force  inaugurated  the workshop on conservation of fishing in Coastal and Malnad regions jointly organized by the Karnataka Forest Department, Mangalore Circle, and the Western Ghat Task Force at Abhiman Residency on March 17, Wednesday.

A number of scientists, government officials, NGOs, representatives of the fishermen community, and others participated in this programme.   

Expressing his regret on the occasion, he said that the parks and museums have to be built in order to preserve life and culture instead of actually experiencing life along the coast of Karnataka and the Western Ghats.

Speaking about the rapidly declining level of water in River Nethravathi, he said that the cause for this is the unnecessary felling of trees in the Western Ghats.

He urged everybody to cooperate in the protection and preservation of nature and expressed his regret that, despite a large sum of money being spent on the Fisheries College and its representatives being called to discuss fishermen’s problems at Karwar, only an article was sent.

 S Shanthappa, Conservator of Forests, Mangalore Circle said that forests and oceans are not only beautiful, but also constitute a nation’s natural wealth. He said that the fishing population is declining, adding that life is uncertain for fishermen.

Dr. K Sundar Naik, Former Registrar of Mangalore University, who has been associated with the Western Ghat Task Force for the past two years, presided over the programme.