Mangaluru: Tree plantation drives, awareness campaigns and other activities marked World Environment Day celebrations across Mangaluru on Friday, with government agencies, educational institutions, public sector undertakings and corporates joining hands to promote sustainable living and environmental conservation.Mangaluru International Airport distributed famed Mangaluru Mallige (jasmine) saplings to arriving passengers as part of its outreach programme. Among those who received a sapling was Justice Alok Mathur, judge, Allahabad high court, who arrived on a flight from Mumbai.As part of the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, MRPL, in association with the Karnataka forest department, organised a tree plantation drive at its premises. The event was attended by assistant conservator of forests Shashikanth S Vibhothi and MRPL managing director Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath.At NITK Surathkal, students, faculty members and staff participated in a plantation drive to extend support to the Prime Minister’s green initiative. Deputy director Prof Subash C Yaragal joined the programme along with institute officials and students.The observance at New Mangalore Port Authority was held under the theme ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Future.’ A plantation drive was organised within the port premises, led by deputy chairperson S Shanthi. Officials highlighted that NMPA has already developed and maintains nearly 649 acres of green belt in and around the port area as part of its long-term environmental commitment.Meanwhile, Karnataka Bank marked the occasion with a plantation drive at its head office in Mangaluru. Managing director and CEO Raghavendra S Bhat urged citizens to adopt environmentally responsible practices, including carpooling and a gradual shift towards electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions. The Regional Science Centre of the Pilikula Development Authority also organised programmes focusing on biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness.Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, undertook a unique and meaningful initiative by distributing over 5,000 fruit-bearing and medicinal plant saplings to patients and their attendants visiting the hospital on Friday.Environment protection everyone’s responsibility: DCDakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Darshan HV said protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and called upon citizens to preserve a clean and healthy ecosystem for future generations.Speaking at the district-level World Environment Day programme organised by the district administration, ZP, forest department and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board at KPT, he stressed the importance of safeguarding natural resources and maintaining ecological balance.District Legal Services Authority member secretary Zaibunnisa warned that environmental degradation would have serious consequences for human health, and urged people to actively participate in conservation efforts.Earlier, a rally promoting environmental awareness was held from Yeyyadi to KPT, and was flagged off by principal district and sessions judge Basavaraj.
