EVENT REPORT | Grow Fruit Trees, Get The Birds Back – Fruit Tree Plantation Drive
Report prepared by: The Fruit Forest Collective, Mangalore
Title: Grow Fruit Trees, Get The Birds Back – Fruit Tree Plantation Drive Organised by: The Fruit Forest Collective, Mangalore Date: 25th September 2026 Venue: Nalyapada Government School Grounds, Shakthinagar, Mangalore
Introduction The Fruit Forest Collective, Mangalore, under the leadership of its initiator Mrs. Crasta, organised a fruit tree plantation drive at Nalyapada Govt. School, Shakthinagar as part of its ongoing campaign “Grow Fruit Trees, Get The Birds Back.” The mission, started a few months ago, aims to restore Mangalore’s green cover, bring back bird and pollinator populations, and combat rising urban heat through native and fruit-bearing trees.
Dignitaries and Partners The programme was graced by Mrs. Rekha Shetty, Zonal Commissioner, Mangalore City Corporation, whose continued support has been instrumental to the mission. She graced the initiative at Shakthinagar on September 25th and spoke to the youth, advising and guiding them to continue the fruit tree initiative wherever they go, to get the birds back and for a greener Mangalore city.
Key collaborators included:
St. Aloysius College (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru
Aloysius Rotaract Club – President Miss Avita and members of the Rotaract Club
Mr. Glavin Rodrigues, faculty coordinator, who has been an immense support and guide to this initiative for the past few months
Mr. Avinash, faculty member, who did a tremendous job with the Rotaract Club youth in digging the soil, planting each fruit tree with care and watering it. He was guiding and in action with them the whole morning
Coordinators: Mrs. Teena Pereira, Mrs. Vineetha Rai, Mrs. Akshitha Shetty, Miss Karen Dias
Advisory Support: Mr. Jeeth Roche
Media Partner: Mr. Paul, Global TV
We thank the President and Principals of the Shakthinagar school and college who extended their full support and cooperation.
Programme Highlights Mrs. Crasta, in her address, highlighted the urgent need for action, noting that Mangalore has become hotter, dustier and quieter due to loss of tree cover. She explained the Collective’s simple formula: Native trees survive our rain. Fruit trees attract birds. Neem trees purify air.
She emphasised four key benefits:
Food: One Jackfruit, Mango, Jamun/Nerale, Guava or Chikku tree feeds humans, birds, bats and squirrels for 50 years.
Habitat: Native trees like Banyan/Alada Mara, Peepal/Arali Mara, Honge, Badami, Hippe Mara, Tamarind/Hunase and Mango support hundreds of species. Neem provides excellent shade, strong nesting branches and safe roosting.
Climate: With Mangalore 3-4°C hotter today, a large Neem tree cools like 10 ACs, filters dust and provides vital shade.
Pollination: Native flowering trees bring back bees and butterflies, improving yields of coconut, mango and vegetables.
Plantation Activity Volunteers from the Rotaract Club actively participated in digging, planting, and watering of fruit and native saplings on the school grounds. Each sapling was planted with care to ensure long-term survival.
Vote of Thanks Mrs. Teena Pereira proposed the vote of thanks. She thanked Mrs. Rekha Shetty for her ardent support, the Rotaract Club President and members for their dedication and enthusiasm. St. Aloysius College Vice Chancellor and faculty members . Mr Glavin Rodrigues for his continuous support, help and guidance Mr. Paul of Global TV, and Mr. Jeeth Roche. She also thanked the President and Principals of the Shakthinagar School and College. She called upon the younger generation to carry the Fruit Forest Collective forward.
Conclusion The drive concluded with a collective pledge – “Plant one. Just one fruit tree. Plant food. Plant shelter. Plant air. The birds will return on their own.” The event marked one more successful step toward a greener, cooler and more biodiverse Mangalore.
Report prepared by: The Fruit Forest Collective, Mangalore Every fruit tree makes a difference.
