BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid tributes on National Forest Martyrs’ Day on Wednesday and said that everyone who is benefiting from nature has a responsibility to protect nature. On the occasion of National Forest Martyrs’ Day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Aranya Bhavan.
The CM talked about how the state does not have adequate forest cover and that afforestation should increase.
“The state does not have adequate forest cover. Therefore, afforestation should increase. He said that the protection of forest and wild animal wealth is only the duty of the forest officers and staff, but we are shirking our responsibility,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X.
https://x.com/siddaramaiah/status/1833775020272742596
The CM further said that even though it is a good thing that the population of tigers and elephants is increasing, there is still work to be done.
“It is a good thing that the number of elephants and tigers in the state is increasing. But more effective work needs to be done to avoid animal-human conflict and protect human and animal wealth. He called for the use of modern technology available for this purpose,” he added.
The CM also announced that the compensation amount given to the families of forest martyrs would be increased from Rs 30 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs. He said, “The compensation amount given to the families of forest martyrs has been increased from 30 to 50 lakhs. Forest martyrs are the saviors of mankind. He wished that his sacrifice would be an inspiration for forest conservation.”
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister, Ishwar Khandre and other senior officials of the department, along family members and relatives of the martyrs were present on the occasion. (ANI)