Mangaluru: Planting a sapling takes minutes, but keeping it alive takes years. Taking this challenge head-on, a group of environmentalists is developing a green patch at a school in Ullal, promising to nurture and protect 60 saplings planted on the campus for the next three years.The green campaign, Tulasi Yamunodyana, was launched at Bharath Group of Institutions, and managed by Ullal Mogaveera Sangha in Ullal on Wednesday, in memory of Padma Shri awardee and ‘Encyclopaedia of Forest’ Tulasi Gowda and environmentalist Dinesh Holla’s mother, Yamuna. The initiative also marks Holla’s 60th birthday. Led by environmentalist Madhav Ullal, the team will take responsibility for watering, protecting and nurturing the saplings.Holla said that the campaign is being implemented through Sahyadri Sanchaya, which works for the conservation of the Western Ghats, and Vana Chethana, an initiative involving tribal children in remote govt schools of Uttara Kannada. Environmentalists P Padmanabha Rao, Rakesh Bolar and Harish Adyar have extended support.“The saplings have been planted in a triangular formation. We selected the school as we are confident that the plants will be safe and cared for in the long run. We also plan to conduct workshops in the green patch, and teach students the basics of interacting with and understanding plants,” Holla said.A pipeline will be laid to ensure regular water supply to the saplings. The green patch largely comprises local varieties of fruit-and-flower-bearing plants. Holla said several well-wishers had extended support to the project.The campaign will also expand its focus to promoting reading this year. From Aug, the team plans to distribute books to children in remote schools of Uttara Kannada to encourage reading. “Every year, we focus on an aspect linked to education, culture or conservation. This year, we have decided to donate books to 100 schools on diverse subjects that children should read,” Holla said. The book campaign will be launched in Uttara Kannada in Aug. Rohidas Bangera, correspondent, Bharath Group of Institutions, this will help the school in increasing the green cover at a time when we are fighting climate change. The forest department has also assured support. This drive can be an inspiration to plant saplings on birthdays, he said.
