Minister for Forests, Cinema and Sports K B Ganesh Kumar has said that Forest Department would issue ‘Nature Passports’ to those nature lovers who visit wildlife sanctuaries in the state.
Inaugurating a Nature Club formed under the aegis of the KUWJ district committee here on Friday, he said that when students, youths and others visit the sanctuaries, their nature passports would be stamped with the seal of the respective sanctuaries. He said the Forest Department is aiming to get back what we had been lost in the past.
Referring to the environmental pollution, he said even our sky has lost its blue colour and only the cloud of dust is visible in the photographs being taken in Kerala. He pointed out that excessive sand mining was leading to the death of rivers. Emphasising the need for promoting social forestry, he said under the ‘Vanadeepthi’ scheme, a large number of tree saplings would be planted.
Ganesh exhorted the mediapersons to work for the conservation of rivers by organising workshops and seminars to sensitise the engineers of the need for exploring new technologies with alternatives for river sand. Compared to Kerala, rivers in Tamil Nadu are better protected, he pointed out.
Referring to Emerging Kerala and fears about environment disasters, the Minister said the Forest Department has no apprehensions as the Chief Minister would not allow anything harmful to the environment to happen. “The Chief Minister is in charge of the Environment Department. I am sure he will not allow any project which is detrimental to the environment,” Ganesh said.
He said in the Nelliyampathy case, truth would have the ultimate victory. It would never be a victory of any individual. He said he was hundred-per cent sure that the disputed land in Nelliyampathy was forest land. The Minister also distributed the certificates for the journalists who had participated in the nature camp held at Parambikulam a few months back.
KUWJ district president Siby Kattampally presided. Secretary Suresh Vellimangalam offered felicitations. Executive member C Rahim welcomed the gathering and Jayakumar proposed the vote of thanks.
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