Vanamahotsava Held in Kammaje; Villagers Resolve to Protect Environment Through Tree Plantation

Mangaluru: A Vanamahotsava-2026 programme was organised at Viveka Bhavan near Kammaje in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on Sunday under the joint auspices of Nagashri Mitra Vrinda Charitable Trust and Nagashri Matru Vrinda.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from villagers and was aimed at creating awareness among the younger generation about the importance of forests and environmental conservation.

Speakers at the programme stressed the need to educate youth about protecting forests amid rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation. They warned that continued deforestation could lead to severe ecological and health crises, urging people to plant and nurture saplings to ensure a sustainable future.

Inaugurating the programme, Roopa Rai, Supervisor of the Polali Zone of the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, said increasing incidents of wild animals entering human settlements were a direct consequence of forest destruction. She appealed to the public to plant trees in their homes or, wherever possible, in forest areas to help maintain ecological balance.

She also encouraged people to celebrate occasions such as birthdays by planting saplings instead of spending extravagantly, saying such initiatives would benefit both the environment and public health.

Among those present were BJP Tenkabellur Shakti Kendra Convenor Muralidhar Shetty, Nagashri Mitra Vrinda President Harish Mudaikodi, Nagashri Matru Vrinda President Soumya Thimmappa Kammaje, and other dignitaries.

The programme concluded with the guests planting saplings to formally inaugurate the Vanamahotsava, followed by the free distribution of saplings to villagers. Students of Balagokula presented a prayer, while Ranjith, Sports Secretary of Nagashri Sangha, welcomed the gathering and delivered the vote of thanks.