Mangaluru City Corporation Launches ‘Hasiru–Usiru’ Afforestation Drive

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has initiated the ‘Hasiru–Usiru’ afforestation drive to honor the birthday of esteemed environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka. The program, aimed at planting 10,000 saplings across 60 wards, was inaugurated by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Monday.

In his address, MP Chowta emphasized the urgent need for ongoing efforts to protect trees, citing the current challenges of climate change and rising sea levels. Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath highlighted the severe ecological imbalance experienced in New Delhi, stressing that areas like Bunder and Kudroli in Mangaluru have a mere 4% green cover. He underscored the importance of maintaining ecological balance through community awareness and lauded the MCC’s initiative.

MLA Kamath also suggested the planting of more fruit-bearing trees on the outskirts of the city to support local bird populations. He advocated for the ‘Hasiru–Usiru’ program to become an annual effort. Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur echoed these sentiments, noting that Mangaluru, once rich in green cover, has faced significant deforestation in the name of development. He reaffirmed the city corporation’s commitment to restoring the ecological balance through this extensive tree-planting initiative.

During the event, environmental activist Mahdava Ullal was honored with the ‘Vrikshamathe Saalumarada Thimmakka Award’ for his contributions to environmental conservation. The ‘Hasiru–Usiru’ drive stands as a significant step towards revitalizing Mangaluru’s green spaces and fostering a sustainable urban environment.