Increasing green cover should be our priority: Eshwar Khandre

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Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre walking with officials through the newly inaugurated Dr. Channabasava Pattadadevaru Tree Park at Inchur village near Bhalki in Bidar district on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Increasing the green cover and creating environmental awareness among children are essential to address the challenges posed by global warming and climate change, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Bidar district in-charge Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said on Wednesday.

Speaking after inaugurating the Dr. Channabasava Pattadadevaru Tree Park at Inchur village in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district, Mr. Khandre said the environmental conservation measures undertaken today would determine the future of the next generation.

“The tree park, spread over 13 acres and developed by the Forest Department at a cost of about ₹5 crore, has been established for the benefit of the people and schoolchildren of Bhalki taluk. More than 250 species of plants have been grown in the park, with plans to plant another 10,000 saplings under the Miyawaki model,” he said.

Information boards displaying the scientific name, lifespan and medicinal uses of each species would be installed, while guides would be made available to help schoolchildren understand the importance of plants and biodiversity. The use of plastic and dumping of waste would be strictly prohibited on the premises, he said.

“The State needs to increase its green cover substantially. While the ideal green cover is 33% of the geographical area, Karnataka currently has about 21%, while the average green cover in Kalyana Karnataka is only around 5% to 10%. Environmental conservation is not the responsibility of the government alone. Every individual must contribute to protecting nature, forests and trees,” he said.

Mr. Khandre said he had instructed officials to develop a colourful musical fountain at the tree park, on the lines of the Brindavan Gardens in Mysuru, to attract visitors in the evenings.

“Aranya Bhavans will be constructed at a cost of ₹5 crore in Bidar and ₹2 crore in Bhalki. A biodiversity and eco-tourism site is also being developed at Honnikeri at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore. The government is also considering establishing fruit orchards in every gram panchayat jurisdiction,” he said.

Mr. Khandre said that during his tenure as Forest Minister, the Cabinet had approved the development of the 153-acre Vishwaguru Basavanna Mega Biological Park near Madappanahalli in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, and ₹50 crore had been earmarked for the project. He said he would take up the matter with Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy and make efforts to get the project launched soon.

Bhalki Hiremath seers Basavalinga Pattadadevaru and Gurubasava Pattadadevaru, Legislative Council member M.C. Mule, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forests Vasant Reddy K.V. and others were present.

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