He was inaugurating a consultation meeting of the representatives of various civic organisations convened by Shimoga City Municipal Council here on Wednesday on its proposed drive to plant saplings. He said it was unfortunate that green cover had been dwindling at a rapid pace in recent times because of human greed. The imbalance in nature had posed a threat to the very existence of human civilisation.

The participation of the community in the environment conservation projects launched by the Government was necessary for their success. He underscored the need to initiate action against those involved in activities such as poaching and chopping of trees.

The urban local bodies and the panchayat raj institutions should strive to conserve environment. Along with planting the saplings, it was necessary to maintain them, he said. He lauded the Shimoga CMC's plan to plant one lakh saplings in the city during the monsoon season.

Mr. Eshwarappa urged the elected members and officials of the CMC to prepare the ground for this by June 10. It had been planned to invite Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Minister for Forest C.P. Yogeshwar for the programme to launch the afforestation project on June 1, he said. S.N. Channabasappa, President, Shimoga CMC, said that with the intention to convert Shimoga into an eco-friendly city, Rs. 40 crore had been earmarked in the budget for 2012-13.

It had been planned to plant saplings along 100 km of the roads in the city. The green cover would increase on the campuses of educational institutions and the existing public parks in the city would be developed. He sought the cooperation of business organisations, managements of educational institutions, and civic organisations for the success of the project.

Shimoga Urban Development Authority president Dattatri and CMC vice-president Ramesh were present.