Shivamogga: The sacrifice of forest officers and ground staff who lost their lives while protecting forests, wildlife and natural resources can never be forgotten. Honouring their memory and paying tribute was a collective duty of society, said principal district and sessions judge and chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Manjunath GA.Addressing the National Forest Martyrs’ Day programme organised by forest department on the chief conservator of forests’ (CCF) office premises Friday, he said working in forest department was no ordinary task, as it involved navigating challenges and conflicts vastly different from office-bound duties.Addressing field-level crises requires tact, firm decision-making and immense courage, he said. “Destruction of forests equates to the destruction of mankind itself,” he added.Presiding over the event, CCF, Shivamogga Circle, KT Hanumanthappa said the sacrifice of the martyrs reflected a commitment to environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and future generations.He said protecting forests, which provide clean air, water, rain, medicinal plants and ecological balance, was every citizen’s responsibility and urged vigilance against illegal logging, deforestation and poaching. He also assured continued departmental and govt support for the families of the martyrs.DCF (wildlife) Prasanna Krishna Patgar delivered the introductory address and read out the names of the martyrs. A customary three-volley gunfire and floral tributes were accorded to forest martyrs.Among those present were CF (working plan and survey) Ganapathi K, deputy commissioner of Shivamogga Prabhuling Kavalikatti, SP B Nikhil, zilla panchayat CEO N Hemanth and family members of the martyrs.
