BENGALURU: Demanding protection and conservation of multiple rivers’ source points along the Western Ghats of Karnataka, hundreds of conservation activists on Wednesday kickstarted a year-long campaign and awareness programmes coinciding with the celebrations of International Biodiversity Day. Collaborating with the Karnataka State Biodiversity Board and the Karnataka Forest Department, the conservationistsfarmers’ outfits, local organisations and youngsters led by the Vruksha Laksha Movement in Uttara Kannada vowed to safeguard sources of prominent rivers in the Western Ghats areas.
Visiting the sources of Rivers including Bedthi, Sharavathi, Aghanashini, Shalmala, Varada and Kumudvathi, the conservationists drove home the message of importance of conserving these river sources. “The world over, citizens are facing severe shortage of potable water as climate change has impacted the water availability in rivers. Over the years, we have been watching the degradation of the fragile landscape of Western Ghats which is the source point of several West and East flowing rivers. These rapacious projects will imperil the Western Ghats ecosystem affecting the flow of water from the catchment into these rivers. Hence, we are duty bound to protect these river sources for the progeny,” appealed Ananth Hegde Ashisara, former Chairperson of Karnataka State Biodiversity Board and Chairperson of Vruksha Laksha movement.
Recalling the efforts of the State Biodiversity Board in safeguarding the sources of about 22 rivers in Western Ghats, Ashisara pointed out that the momentum should continue. “The forest of Western Ghats is everything for these rivers that ensures water security downstream along with multiple commercial activities. Also, this riverine ecosystem along the ghats is dotted with several unique and endemic tree species including the tree species of ‘Bili Matti’ (Terminalia tormentosa) and Dhoopa tree (Vateria indica). If we want to retain these vegetation for our future generation, we all must act now and safeguard these river sources,” he explained. Forest officials from Yellapura division and Biodiversity Board officials were also present during the event.
The experts visited the source of Varada River in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga and inspected the ‘Devara Kaadu’ (Sacred Groves) protected around the river source. The experts also held consultations programmes with the cooperative honey beekeepers of the region and discussed the challenges in the backdrop of the changing climatic conditions. Later, the team visited—Billeshwara in Hosanagar taluk which is the source of five small rivers in Western Ghats and launched awareness programmes through Village Forest Committees. Subsequently, the team visited the Ambutheertha—the origin of Sharavathi river in Thirthahalli taluk and resolved to raise a biodiversity park around the source of the river.
Visiting the sources of Rivers including Bedthi, Sharavathi, Aghanashini, Shalmala, Varada and Kumudvathi, the conservationists drove home the message of importance of conserving these river sources. “The world over, citizens are facing severe shortage of potable water as climate change has impacted the water availability in rivers. Over the years, we have been watching the degradation of the fragile landscape of Western Ghats which is the source point of several West and East flowing rivers. These rapacious projects will imperil the Western Ghats ecosystem affecting the flow of water from the catchment into these rivers. Hence, we are duty bound to protect these river sources for the progeny,” appealed Ananth Hegde Ashisara, former Chairperson of Karnataka State Biodiversity Board and Chairperson of Vruksha Laksha movement.
Recalling the efforts of the State Biodiversity Board in safeguarding the sources of about 22 rivers in Western Ghats, Ashisara pointed out that the momentum should continue. “The forest of Western Ghats is everything for these rivers that ensures water security downstream along with multiple commercial activities. Also, this riverine ecosystem along the ghats is dotted with several unique and endemic tree species including the tree species of ‘Bili Matti’ (Terminalia tormentosa) and Dhoopa tree (Vateria indica). If we want to retain these vegetation for our future generation, we all must act now and safeguard these river sources,” he explained. Forest officials from Yellapura division and Biodiversity Board officials were also present during the event.
The experts visited the source of Varada River in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga and inspected the ‘Devara Kaadu’ (Sacred Groves) protected around the river source. The experts also held consultations programmes with the cooperative honey beekeepers of the region and discussed the challenges in the backdrop of the changing climatic conditions. Later, the team visited—Billeshwara in Hosanagar taluk which is the source of five small rivers in Western Ghats and launched awareness programmes through Village Forest Committees. Subsequently, the team visited the Ambutheertha—the origin of Sharavathi river in Thirthahalli taluk and resolved to raise a biodiversity park around the source of the river.