District and Sessions Judge Ashok G Nijagannavar said that the forests help in maintaining balance in nature.

Speaking at World Forest Day organised by forest department and Western Ghat Task Force at Aranya Bhavana in Madikeri, he said “at least 30 per cent of the land should be covered with forest in the country.

With the increase in the demand, the forests are getting vanished in the country. There is a need to protect at least the forests which are found at present.”

Zilla Panchayat President Ravi Kushalappa said 37 per cent of the land in Kodagu is covered with forest.

There is a need to grow trees in schools and colleges

Conservator of Forest Brijesh Kumar Deekshith, DCF K S Anand, Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad, ZP CEO N Krishnappa and others were present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, March 21st, 2012