KARWAR,: The mangrove forest in Kali island in the Kali river estuary was declared ‘Pavitra Vana’ by I M Vittalamurthy, secretary in-charge of the district, here on Tuesday.
Vittalamurthy, who went to the island with Deputy Commissioner B N Krishanaiah and DCF R Gokul in a boat, walked around the mangrove forest.
Addressing a gathering in the Kali temple, he eulogised the beauty of the island as it is a fit place to develop eco-tourism.
He said that the concept of Pavitra Vana is not new. Since mangroves formed a unique ecosystem, they needed protection. It is a positive step by the forest department to identify mangrove forest in the island as Pavitra Vana, he said.
Stating that participation of people is very important in protecting the environment, Vittalamurthy suggested that an awareness campaign be launched in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Krishnaiah said that mangrove forests remained neglected all these years. As Pavitra Vana is viewed as God’s place, responsibility is more on the public rather than the forest department to protect it, he added.
Gokul opined that destruction of mangroves and casuarina groves on the shore and in islands has been the main reason for increased impact of sea erosion. The forest department has been distributing LPG cylinders to people of all villages in the forest region to decrease dependence on wood for fuel. As many as 22 cylinders were given to the villagers on the occasion.
Gokul said that LPG cylinders would be distributed to the villagers in Anashi tiger reserve also. Devbag village forest committee was given a cheque for `50,000 as its share in the forest revenue.
Additional DC K H Narasimhamurthy, ZP CEO Vijaymohanraj, local leader P M Tandel and ACF D’Souza were present.