Increasing Karnataka green cover should be prioritised: Minister Eshwar Khandre

In addition, the state will celebrate “Van Mahotsav,” an annual tree-planting exercise, from July 1 to 7.

“Environment awareness will be spread among children. The job to plant and protect trees is not only restricted to the forest department but it is the responsibility of each and every citizen. Climate change is a big crisis. Air and water pollution is the biggest challenge before us. People should be aware about it,” Khandre said.

To oversee the activities of Van Mahotsav, a committee has been formed, although the members’ names have not been disclosed. An official from the forest department explained that the committee includes a deputy commissioner, police representative, chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat, and deputy conservator of forests, and its purpose is to ensure the success of Van Mahotsav.

In a separate incident, 18 people, including six children, were hospitalised in Bidar district after consuming contaminated water earlier this week. Khandre vowed to take action against those responsible, noting that the entry of untreated sewage into water pipes and the discharge of industrial waste into lakes and water bodies without proper treatment were major causes of water contamination.