Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Shubha, emphasised the importance of environmental conservation and urged citizens to leave behind a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations.
Judge was speaking after inaugurating the World Environment Day programme organised at the Gymnasium Hall of the Government Pre-University College in Madikeri recently. The event was jointly organised by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, District Legal Services Authority, Police Department, Forest Department, District Urban Development Cell, School Education and Literacy Department, Bharat Scouts and Guides District Association, Madikeri Bar Association, Government Pre-University College, local entrepreneurs and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board under the theme, “Inspired by Nature, for the Climate, for Our Future”.
Referring to the rich natural heritage of Kodagu, she recalled the well-known composition of poet Panje Mangesha Rao and said that the district’s environmental wealth must be preserved for future generations.
She stressed that environmental protection should not be confined to a single day of observance but should become a way of life. Small changes in daily habits can collectively contribute to creating a healthier environment for future generations, she said.
Shubha advised students not merely to plant saplings on Environment Day and forget them thereafter. Instead, she suggested that each student adopt a tree, nurture it and take responsibility for its growth. Such efforts, she noted, would provide a lasting sense of satisfaction even after students leave school. She also urged the public to reduce dependence on plastic and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives while shopping and carrying out day-to-day activities.
Observing that nature provides everything selflessly, she said human beings should emulate this spirit and live according to the principle of “Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu” (May all people be happy). She called upon citizens to develop a sense of responsibility not only towards their own locality but also towards neighbouring communities.
The judge highlighted the importance of proper waste management and said segregation of wet and dry waste at the household level can significantly reduce pollution. Environmental care, she added, should become a daily practice rather than an occasional activity.
She encouraged people to cultivate medicinal plants in their homes and available open spaces, noting that such efforts benefit both health and the environment.  Expressing concern over increasing environmental degradation, she pointed out that water has become a commodity that people are forced to purchase. Deforestation, she said, has driven wild animals out of forests and into human settlements. She advocated the use of bicycles and walking for short-distance travel as a means of reducing pollution and improving public health.
Earlier, dignitaries and students planted saplings within the school campus.   Â
As part of the programme, Dr. Maheshwari Kumari Singh, Environmental Officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s Kodagu Regional Office, administered an environmental pledge to students and explained the importance of environmental conservation.
An environmental awareness procession was conducted from Squadron Leader Ajjamada B. Devayya Circle to the Government Pre-University College under the theme, “Inspired by Nature, for the Climate, for Our Future”.
Addressing participants during the procession, Principal Judge of the Family Court C.K. Basavaraju stressed the need to preserve clean air, water and soil for future generations and called for the complete elimination of plastic usage.
Scouts Commissioner Jimmy Sequeira, District Urban Development Cell Project Director R. Manjunath, Madikeri Bar Association President C.T. Joseph, Deputy Director of School Education Basavaraju, Deputy Director of Pre-University Education Vijayan, RFO Shivakumar, Forest Department officials, teachers and students participated in the programme.
The event featured prayer songs, patriotic songs and cultural performances. Poet U.R. Nagesh delivered a special presentation. Dr. Maheshwari Kumari Singh welcomed the gathering, while Project Assistant K.A. Austin proposed the vote of thanks.
Prizes were distributed to winners of an essay competition organised as part of the celebrations. Umbrellas carrying environmental awareness messages were also distributed to students.
