The decrease in tree coverage due to population explosion and urbanisation have led to climate change and global warming, said Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Minor Irrigation T.B. Jayachandra.
After inaugurating 'Koti Vruksha Andolana Sapthaha', organised by the Forest Department and district administration, in which more than three lakh saplings will be planted in the district within one week on the premises of Tumkur University here on Saturday, Mr. Jayachandra said that due to global warming the icecaps were melting.
These natural disasters can be prevented only by increasing the tree cover, he said.
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He said that more than 4 lakh trees have been cut in the district for the past few years for development works like railway lines, power grids, canals, roads. Though it is necessary to provide infrastructure for industries to generate employment, it is also necessary to plant saplings and protect them.
Encroachment of lakes will be cleared
A new law will be brought to clear encroachment of lakes, tanks, and rajakaluve in the State and violators will not be spared, he warned.
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He said he has already directed the Deputy Commissioner, zilla panchayat CEO and forest officers to identify the encroachments of water bodies and take action to clear them.
More marks for planting saplings
Vice-Chancellor of Tumkur University A.H. Rajasab said that to encourage students to plant saplings and protect them, the university will be giving extra marks to students who plant saplings and protect them, after furnishing the photographs.