Mangaluru: A function was held to condemn the destruction caused to the flora and fauna due to a fire caused by burning plastic, during a programme organised in Konaje by Apna Desh Model Village Campaign, Jana Shikshana Trust, and other organisations.On the occasion, Jana Shikshana Trust director Krishna Moolya expressed concern that such environmental damage could eventually cause massive damage on Earth, and stressed the need for collective efforts to protect it.Prof CV Pujar, associate professor, PA Engineering College, spoke about the highly hazardous effects of burning plastic on human health.District swachhata ambassador Sheena Shetty condemned the damage being caused to Mother Nature, and expressed concern over the destruction being passed on to future generations. She also paid tribute to the flora and fauna lost in the fire.During the programme, a request was submitted by Apna Desh to the offices of the assembly speaker, district minister, zilla panchayat swachhata nodal officer, taluk panchayat executive officer, and the gram panchayat, urging them to take strict action against those responsible.Konaje panchayat development officer Rajani and secretary Chaithra visited the spot and informed that strict measures would be planned to prevent such incidents in the future.Positive responses from the speaker’s office, district minister’s office, and the Mangalore University vice-chancellor’s office have given renewed hope to environmentalists. The fire in the plastic dumped beside the road spread to dry grass in the area, and affected a few trees and bushes on Monday night. The smoke from the fire continued on Tuesday as well.
