Ooty flower show opend
Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and State Ministers in front of the floral Eiffel Tower at the Annual Flower Carnival at Udhagamandalam on Saturday.Governor Surjit Singh Barnala has called for the preservation of nature at the inauguration of the 111th Annual Floral Carnival at the Government Botanical Garden here on Saturday.The lesson taught by flower shows was that people should live in harmony with nature. A major threat to the environment was pollution of rivers and contamination of the groundwater, he said.Mr. Barnala called for inculcating the habit of growing plants and flowers in children and the youth. If the floriculture industry thrived, horticulture would get a boost. Research in flower cultivation should be encouraged. Innovative technologies would give a fillip to floriculture.The flow of tourists to the Nilgiris was increasing every day. They should be provided with all facilities. At the same time, "it is the bounden duty of the tourists to keep the place clean and tidy," he said.
Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam, who presided over the function, said the Government decided to reduce the fee for using video cameras at tourist spots, including the Botanical Garden, from Rs. 500 to Rs. 75. Steps were being taken to regularise the services of temporary employees in the Department of Horticulture who had served for over 10 years.Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy urged tea growers to bring at least 10 per cent of their holdings under cut flowers.Commissioner of Horticulture and Plantation Crops Jagmohan Singh Raju said the carnival showcased Tamil Nadu as a floriculture destination.Surjit K. Choudhary, Secretary, Agriculture, said area under floriculture would be increased in phases.
Udhagamandalam municipal chairman R. Rajendran wanted the Botanical Garden converted as an organic garden.PWD Minister Durai Murugan; Minister for Handlooms N.K.K.P. Raja; Khadi Board Minister K. Ramachandran; Udhagamandalam MLA B. Gopalan; Coonoor MLA A. Soundarapandian; Nilgiris Collector Santosh K. Misra; and Joint Director of Horticulture R. Selvaraj spoke.
