‘Taking children close to green environs will have great benefits’

Rather than taking classes of environment science within the classroom, it will be beneficial if the same is held by taking children close to plants and trees, said wildlife photographer Krupakar in Udupi on Sunday.

Speaking at the two-day ‘Environment and Education’ conference organised by Udupi District unit of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, in memory of environment activist Madhav Gadgil, on Sunday, Mr. Krupakar said taking children close to green environment will help in developing love for the environment and its protection among children. Teachers should not just focus their attention on making children write examinations, but should make them aware about development in the world around them and inculcate sensitivity to needs of environment.

Mr. Krupakar said until literate elected representatives are elected it will be difficult to stop projects that affect the environment.

Warning

Environment activist Akhilesh Chipli said warnings by the nature due to environment degradation should be taken seriously and urgent action should be taken to protect the biodiversity of the Western Ghats on Saturday.

Inaugurating the two-day conference on Saturday, Mr. Chipli said Madhav Gadgil was fully committed to protection of biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

When Gadgil gave report on protection of bio-sensitive Western Ghats, the political class and officials painted him in a bad picture. They criticised Mr. Gadgil and humiliated him. Landslides in Kerala in 2018 and 2024, in Kodagu in 2018-19, and in Shiroor and Ankola in 2024 have not opened our eyes. Now there were reports about Nuclear power plant coming up in Sagar in Shivamogga district.

Though staying in Bengaluru, Mr. Gadgil had deep knowledge of Western Ghats. He moved with native tribes to present the biodiversity of Western Ghats to the world. When Mr. Gadgil passed way in January this year, none from the political class from Karnataka offered condolences, Mr. Chipli said.