Bengaluru, June 28: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister R Shankar said that the government is planning to introduce a programme to take students of the government schools and colleges for free safari into the forest to educate and inculcate curiosity among them on forest and wildlife.

Inaugurating a programme organized to present national and state environmental awards by the Yuva Chetana Yuvajana Kendra and Kadina Mitra magazine at the Cubbon Park here on Thursday, the Minister said that the Forest department has already introduced ‘One sapling for a child- Park for a school’ programme. In the same way, he was discussing with the Forest department officials on free safari to students of schools and colleges to create awareness among them on the forest and its importance. The government, non-governmental organizations, schools and colleges have been toiling hard to protect the forest and conserve the nature. If the pollution was more, it would have negative impact on the life. So, it should be the responsibility of every individual to protect the forest, he said.

In recent days, the incidents of wild animals damaging crops were increasing and farmers were incurring heavy loss. He would discuss with the Chief Minister on compensating the crop loss to the farmers, he said.

Bhadra Tiger Project director HC Kantharaju said that in the world, India has more number of tigers and in the state, there were more than 600 tigers. Because of the conservation of tigers, herbivorous animals would be balanced in the nature. For this reason, priority was given to conserve tigers, he said.

Environmental activist Nandidurga Balu Gowda was present on the occasion.

More funds in budget

Minister R Shankar said that he would discuss with Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to reserve more funds for his department in the 2018-19 Budget.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Jammu (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Friday night ahead of the hectic day-long campaigning on Saturday during which he will address five public rallies in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah arrived here from Delhi and drove straight to the State Guest house, a senior BJP leader said.

Shah will fly to Poonch early tomorrow morning and address the first of four rallies in Mendhar followed by Surankote in Poonch district, he added.

Shah is scheduled to address rallies in Thanamandi and Rajouri followed by Akhnoor in Jammu.

He is also expected to hold a rally in the Nowshera constituency in support of Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday.