In a bold step to restore Mangaluru’s depleting green spaces, the Amara (Prakrutiye Pragati) Plant a Tree, Adopt a Tree initiative was officially launched on Monday at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). The Amara app—linked with the Mangaluru Smart City app—will be available to the public by late evening.
Based on findings from the Tree Count Survey 2023 led by Prof. Smitha Hegde (CFAL), the data reveals that just 6.2% of Mangaluru’s public areas are green-covered. Drawing on this, the Amara app has digitally mapped 19,872 trees across 50 wards, of which only 20 have been adopted so far.
Each tree on the app features a unique ID with detailed attributes—species (common & scientific names), girth, height, diameter, and surface type (bitumen or concrete). Residents can register, adopt, and track trees, fostering public responsibility in preserving urban greenery.
Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP emphasized community involvement: “Every tree will be geo-tagged. Citizens and groups can adopt trees in their chosen ward.”
Prof. Hegde highlighted the urgent climate need: “Avenues with trees can lower temperatures by 4-5°C. This data-driven, collaborative effort is vital for Mangaluru’s future.” She also announced plans to plant one lakh mangroves along the coast.
Tree plantation drives kick off on June 5, World Environment Day, with a public audit report set for release on August 15. Each ward targets 500 trees, requiring volunteer teams to support the mission.
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