“I appeal to the people to encourage organic and naturally grown flowers and discard plastic and synthetic flowers. ”-Ms.Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner 

“A unique campaign by flower growers”

• Distributes two lakh flowers and appeals not to use plastic flowers
• Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh takes part in this campaign;
• Appeals to use organic flowers and not plastic flowers.

Bengaluru, December 31:

The more and more use of plastic flowers of late has put the interest of flowers growers in doldrums.

In order the create awareness among the people to use organic and naturally grown flowers and to discard plastic flowers, a unique campaign was conducted by the flower growers in Lalbagh on Sunday.

The flower growers distributed about two lakh flowers free of cost to the people. The flower growers also explained the adverse impact on the economy of the horticulturists if plastic flowers are used. “The use of plastic and synthetic flowers will also have adverse impact on the health of the people. This was also brought to the information of the people,” the press release stated.

The campaign was jointly organized by the Department of Horticulture, International Flower Auction Centre, Hebbal, GFCI, Agri Plast, sellers and buyers.

In her speech, Ms Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner said, Karnataka is one of the largest flower growing state in the country. The flowers grown in Karnataka are exported in large quantity. “I appeal to the people to encourage organic and naturally grown flowers and discard plastic and synthetic flowers. We need to help the farmers sustain their economy by encouraging them,” Shalini Rajneesh added.

She further said that the flower growers have told her the negative impact of the plastic and synthetic flowers on their economy and assured them of taking up the matter with the higher authorities in the government.

T. M. Aravind, President of South India, Flower Growers Association, in his speech, said that in Karnataka flowers are being grown in about 38000 hectares and commercial crops are being grown in about 1500 hectares.

“In Karnataka, several types of flowers including Rose, are grown apart from Anthuriams and Orchids at Home Gardens and Roof Gardens. This has resulted in providing direct and indirect employment to about 11 lakh people. At the same time, in about 2.8 lakh hectares area, Marigold and other 40 types of flowers are being grown. The number of people depending upon this is more than 52 lakhs. The use of plastic and synthetic flowers will put the lives of these lakhs of farmers in trouble. It is imperative for the people to use natural and organic flowers,” Aravind explained.

Explaining the disastrous effect on the economy due to plastic and synthetic flowers, Aravind said, “Farmers invest Rs 50 lakh per acre that includes polyhouse and purchase of implements. If they don’t get proper price for their produce, then the farmers will not be able to repay the loan and will be in deep trouble,” he added.

He expressed concern that as days goes, more and more plastic flowers are being used in marriage and other functions which is not a good trend. “It is with this concern that we appeal to the people to buy more and more of natural flowers,” Aravind added.

Cut roses were distributed to the people at all the four gates of Lalbagh. A selfie point was also set-up for the people to take selfies along with floweres.

Ms Shamla Iqbal, Secretary, Department of Horticulture and Sericulture, Joint Director of Horticulture and Managing Director of International Flower Auction Centre ,Vishwanath Muniappa, Director of South India Flower Growers Federation Srikant and others were present on the occasion.

“I appeal to the people to encourage organic and naturally grown flowers and discard plastic and synthetic flowers. We need to help the farmers sustain their economy by encouraging them,” Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner