The Afforestation and Lake Rejuvenation Campaign-2026, an initiative of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, being launched in Shivamogga on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh

Principal District and Sessions Judge Manjunatha G.A. on Tuesday called upon the youth to develop awareness and a sense of responsibility towards conserving the environment.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Afforestation and Lake Rejuvenation Campaign-2026, an initiative launched by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority in coordination with various departments, including the Forest Department, in Shivamogga, on Tuesday.

The judge said every citizen should become a soldier to protect forest wealth. “We deploy the Army to guard the nation’s borders. Just as border security is important, protecting the country’s forest areas is equally important. If soldiers guard against external aggression, we ourselves must work like soldiers to protect our environment within,” he said.

Mr. Manjunatha said the Legal Services Authority had taken up an initiative to plant over 25 lakh saplings, and had also taken responsibility for nurturing and protecting them over the next five years. He appealed to students and the public to join hands in the effort.

Chief Conservator of Forests K.T. Hanumanthappa, appreciating the authority’s efforts, said both afforestation and lake rejuvenation activities were significant to ensure clean water and pollution-free air. He also stressed the need for the younger generation to take part in such activities.

M.S. Santhosh, Member-Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, said 25 lakh saplings were being planted as part of the initiative, in collaboration with the Forest Department. Such activities assumed importance in the context of rising incidents of human-animal conflict, he added.

Judges of Shivamogga district court, DCF (Wildlife) Prasanna Krishna Patagar, DCF (Shivamogga) G.R. Ajjaiah and others were present.

Published – July 14, 2026 07:07 pm IST