'Botanical gardens to boost eco-tourism'

There are plans to develop the Panchagiris -- Nandigiri, Skandagiri, Dibbagiri, Brahmagiri and Channagiri -- in Chikkaballapur taluk to promote tourism in the region. The proposal is being discussed with the Forest minister, said MLA Dr K Sudhakar. He was speaking after inaugurating the Botanical Garden which is being developed by the Forest department at Soolalappana Dinne on the outskirts of the city.

Soolalappana Dinne is bestowed with nature’s best hillocks, greens and valleys. Efforts will be made increase the green cover in the area to attract tourists. The Forest minister has promised to sanction Rs 5 crore grants developing the Botanical Garden, Sudhakar explained.

Measures will be taken to provide water facility in the area by increasing storage facilities. Illegal quarrying was rampant at several hills and mountains in the region. There was a need to conserve at least what remained of these. The officials should focus on conserving Dandiganakere and Avalabetta areas, the MLA said.

Nature’s fury
Humans do not have the powers to halt nature’s fury. At least, the mankind should its best to conserve nature. Instead of axing trees, we should nourish and conserve them. And for this, citizens should also join their hands in the mission, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal Chief Forest Conservator K S Sugar said that so far, Botanical Gardens have been developed in at least 70 places in the state, in order to create awareness on environment, apart from entertainment. Botanical Gardens will be developed in at least four places in Chikkaballapur district. Citizens too, on their part, should try to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in these Gardens and should also show their concern by conserving environment.

Chief Forest Conservator Shashwathi Mishra said that already the effects of global warming was being felt through varying temperatures and extreme weathers Conserving nature and protecting it from further destructions was the only solution. By achieving ecological balance one can halt further damages, she added.

Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator A C Keshavamurthy, Deputy Forest Conservator Dr Manjunath, Krishnamurthy, M Shridhar and Sayyed Nizamuddin of the Forest department, district surgeon Dr Vijaykumar, DySP M L Purushottam and several others were present at the programme.