Kurnool: Emphasizing that environmental protection requires collective public participation, Society for Employment Generation and Training in Rural Areas (SETKUR) Chief Executive Officer Dr Venugopal stated that nature conservation is the fundamental responsibility of every individual. He was speaking as the chief guest at an environmental awareness program organized jointly by the Department of Youth Services and SETKUR at the Government Junior College in Veldurthi on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Dr Venugopal expressed concern that rapid industrialization, unchecked urbanization, and technological advancement—coupled with human greed—are causing large-scale environmental degradation and depleting natural resources. He urged citizens to consume resources strictly according to necessity, conserve water and electricity, minimize fuel usage, and adopt eco-friendly alternatives. As part of the observances, the organizers conducted essay writing and elocution competitions for intermediate students, where Dr Venugopal and guest speakers distributed prizes to the winners.