Support from Navy to protect Western Ghats

KARWAR: Naval officer in the Karwar Naval Base Captain S N Karupparan said that the navy would extend all support for the protection of forests in the Western Ghats between Karwar and Ankola. He averred that an integrated management of the forest was needed. Karupparan claimed that the Navy was the main contributor to afforestation in the region.  “We have greater responsibility of protecting the environment.”National meet on sea erosion: AshisaraKarwar: A national seminar on development of green shield in the coastal region to prevent sea  erosion would be arranged at Kumta shortly, said Western Ghat Task Force Chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara. At a consultation meeting here on Monday, where he said that the ‘Hasiru Kavacha’ (Green Shield) project being implemented in four coastal districts of the state  for the last two years, should be a model.He said that Rs 5 crore was utilised in the project last year, adding that Rs 6 crore has been allotted this year for the project under the 13th finance commission.Secretary of Science Centre V N Nayak said that construction of sea wall was not a solution to  prevent sea erosion. He said salt resistant tree species, on mixed plantation lines, could be planted along the beaches to prevent erosion. IISc scientist Dr Subhashchandran was among those present.