You Cut This Tree, You’ll Be Punished by God! National Environment Care Federation (NECF) Members Saving a Tree through Unique Idea
Mangaluru: Urbanization and development are an inevitable part of living today. Road widening and building of flyovers have to happen in every city, but, this comes at the cost of losing green cover. The fast disappearing green cover in Mangaluru compelled Sashidhar Shetty, the Founder of National Environment Care Foundation (NECF), that something should be done to save trees rather than cut them when there is road widening or any other city development, where trees come in the way. By forming NECF and with the help of volunteers, Shetty has brought awareness about tree plantation, saving trees and clean and green environment. He has also raised his voice and even held protests to save trees and save the nature.
We all know that trees play a very important role in protecting the lives of all other living beings found around them. Most of our activities generate plenty of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases that pollute the atmosphere, and it is only trees that can convert these gases into oxygen and help counter the ill-effects. Trees take many years to grow and once fully grown, many species can live for more than a hundred years. The loss of even one tree in the vicinity can cause an imbalance in the natural wealth and health of the surrounding area. Tree translocation is a tedious process, which has to be done very carefully. Or something has to be done to save a tree from axing it down.
And for that matter, NECF members in order to save a tree located on the Bunts Hostel Road, in the premises of Women’s College, opposite Jyothi talkies gathered near the tree and did a short pooja, and also affixed signs stating that “If anyone tries to remove this sign or does any harm to this tree or cut it down, will be punished/cursed by God-Kadri Sri Manjunatha. Also when you pass by, do Namaskara to the tree, and you’ll have success in life”. This unique idea was planned in order to save this tree from being chopped down, since presently road widening of Bunts hostel road is going on, and these environmentalists didn’t want to take any chances before MCC or others decide to cut down the tree.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Sashidhar Shetty said, “We don’t have any objection when it comes to the city development projects, but our only concern is that no trees should be harmed or cut down in order to facilitate road construction or any other infrastructure. Either they have to do certain plans to save the tree or do tree translocation. Already many trees have been cut in Mangaluru without knowledge for development, but in future, we will not allow a single tree to lose its life. We will continue our fight to save trees, save the environment and save our “ONCE” a beautiful green city”.
