Mangaluru: Prominent biodiversity hotspots of the Western Ghats are affected due to increased human activities, especially felling of trees, hunting and tourism, resulting in loss of natural habitats for king cobras. Over 30 lakh trees, some of them as old as 150 years, were cut for various human activities in Western Ghats.

Parisara Sammelana, a convention for environment held on Sunday under the aegis of National Environment Care Federation (NECF) at the Tree Park on the Tannirbavi Beach resolved to urge the government to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife as envisaged in Article 48A of the Constitution.
The convention held in the form of a people’s court took up trials of 36 cases pertaining to environment.

Environmentalists from coastal and malnad regions, presented their cases at the event presided by noted human rights activist Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag.

Writer and activist Akilesh Chippali said that there is need for amendments for laws to prevent afforestation. “Over 30 lakh trees are chopped for various projects in the Western Ghats. Some of them were as old as 150 years,” he said.

Activist Yogish from Chikkamagaluru, presenting the case he is fighting, said king cobras in the Western Ghats have been losing their source of food due to human activities. Destruction of habitats through hunting, trekking and other activities have resulted in the loss of food source for the reptiles. Meanwhile, pollution of water also has also affected them, he added.

Environmentalist Kalavathi P said 9,580 cases were booked for vehicular pollution between 2005 and 2016 in the state and penalty to the tune of Rs 82 lakh was collected. However, the problem still persists since those vehicles are allowed to ply after the payment of penalty. “This is not a solution to the environmental issues we face today. The rules should be stricter that such vehicles should be seized and should not be allowed to play on the road,” she suggested.

A panel of advocates present at the programme extended their support to those who are fighting for the cause of environment. Padma Shri awardee and Halakki tribal folk singer Sukri Bommagowda, another Padma award winner Tulsi Gowda, who is known as the ‘encyclopedia of forest’ for her vast knowledge of plants and herbs and activist Diyego Bastyav Siddi expressed their views.

NECF state secretary Shashidhar Shetty and member Dinesh Holla said that none of the officials from various government departments participated in the meet despite the organisers sending them invitations. “Our fight will continue till our demands for the protection of environment and wildlife are fulfilled,” Holla said.