Symbolising a relationship of protection and care, the concept of Raksha Bandhan was applied to numerous trees across the city here on Monday.
The ‘Vruksha Bandhan’ programme in the city saw Mangalore Mayor Mahabala Marla and various green-conscious citizens tying an assurance of protection and conservation to a total of 70 trees on the main roads of Falnir, Kankanady, Ladyhill, Nehru Maidan, Balmatta and Valencia.
Mr. Marla launched the campaign by tying a wire mesh around a few trees at Balmatta, with the message of ‘Trees are the living gods on the earth’. “A committee has been formed to ensure the preservation of greenery and the planting of trees. Already, the corporation has started planting on road medians, cemeteries, circles,” said the Mayor.
He laid emphasis on better coordination between the civic bodies to ensure trees planted a few years ago as part of a greenery drive were not cut down. When reminded of the more than 70 trees that were chopped off by the civic body in Nandigudda recently, Mr. Marala said, “Some of the mistake is with the MCC and others with the contractors cutting the trees. A few trees were planted underneath electric lines. For the unnecessary cutting of trees, all I can say is that some people enjoy destroying trees as much as others enjoy planting trees.”
Sensitising societyDinesh Holla, Convenor of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya which organised the event, said this was the third year in a row that the campaign was being conducted. The aim was to sensitise society and ensure that civic authorities and citizens worked together to conserve urban green spaces.
Doctors, bus owners, medical students, environmentalists and MCC officials participated.
