Ex-Forest Official Advocates Organic Farming for Ecological Balance

Fast Summary:

• A.M. Annaiah, Retired Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, stressed the importance of organic farming for ecological balance at a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp for BSc Agriculture students.
• The camp was organized by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and College of Agriculture’s VC farm in Mandya’s Chikkaballi-Anesosalu village on Sunday.
• Mr. Annaiah highlighted that organically grown plants often have medicinal properties and contribute to increased biodiversity.
• He noted that customary practices like building water tanks for planting helped maintain healthy rural environments.
• Biofuels were identified as a way to maintain ecological balance and reduce air pollution. A large number of biofuel plants were planted on government school and temple premises during the event.
• Mangala M. Yogeesh, Chairperson of Parisara Rural Advancement Society, recalled past rural practices such as cultivating kitchen gardens with cooperative labor, which supported chemical-free vegetable production and good health. She lamented modern dietary habits reducing immunity among youth.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The emphasis on organic farming in this event continues to reflect India’s growing concern about sustainable agriculture amid climate challenges. Organic methods improve biodiversity while supporting environmental health-an essential strategy given India’s dependency on agriculture and its vulnerable ecosystems. Planting biofuel crops is another positive step toward addressing energy needs more sustainably while curbing vehicle emissions that contribute significantly to urban pollution.

The recollection of traditional rural practices highlights the need for integrating heritage agricultural wisdom into contemporary systems, especially as modern lifestyles contribute to declining public health standards. while these initiatives by grassroots organizations are commendable, scaling them might require broader policy backing or educational reforms focusing on sustainable living habits across India’s fast-changing socio-economic landscape.

Read more: Published – August 10, 2025 07:07 pm IST