Growing Fruit Trees, Bringing Birds Back: A Community Movement for a Greener Mangaluru
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
The “Grow Fruit Trees. Get the Birds Back.” initiative at St Aloysius Deemed to be University went as a celebration of community, collaboration and social movement for a greener Mangaluru.
Held on 14 August 2026 at Magis Hall, St Aloysius Deemed to be University, the event brought together the university community, environmental enthusiasts and social workers with a shared vision: to make Mangaluru more biodiverse by planting fruit trees and creating spaces where birds and nature can flourish.
The programme was made even more meaningful through the collaboration between St Aloysius Deemed to be University and Eco Warriors, working together with the Grow Fruit Trees, Get the Birds Back movement. The message was simple yet powerful: when we plant a fruit tree, we do not merely grow a tree—we create food, shelter and life for countless living beings.
Click Here for More Pictures and Videos
The presence of Mrs. Rekha Shetty, Zonal Commissioner, City Corporation Mangaluru, as Chief Guest added special significance to the occasion. Despite her busy schedule, she made time to be part of the programme and expressed her happiness at visiting the Aloysius campus for the first time. Her commitment to environmental causes was evident, particularly with the upcoming initiative to address the use of single-use plastics in September. Her presence demonstrated how institutional efforts and civic leadership can come together to create meaningful environmental change.
The event was presided over by Rev. Dr. Melwyn D’Cunha SJ, Pro Vice Chancellor of St Aloysius Deemed to be University, whose witty, thoughtful and to-the-point address added warmth and purpose to the gathering. His words reinforced the importance of moving beyond discussion and taking practical steps towards caring for our common home.
The programme also reflected the dedicated work of the coordinators and volunteers who made the initiative possible. The efforts of Mrs. Crasta, Dr. Ravindra Swami K and Mr. Glavin T. Rodrigues, along with the coordinators Mrs. Teena Pereira, Mrs. Vineetha Rai and Mrs. Akshita Shetty, demonstrated what can be achieved when people work together with a shared purpose.
Interestingly, even the weather seemed to cooperate. The skies remained sunny from the beginning of the programme until its conclusion, allowing everything to proceed smoothly. Only after the participants reached home did the rain begin—a gentle reminder of nature’s own unpredictable rhythm.
The success of the event was not measured merely by what happened on that day. Its real success lies in what happens next: more trees planted, more birds returning, more young people becoming conscious of biodiversity, and more communities taking responsibility for the environment.
More @ Instagram
The collaboration between St Aloysius Deemed to be University and Eco Warriors opens the door to many more community-based environmental programmes. It is a partnership rooted in the belief that meaningful change begins when institutions and communities come together with a common purpose.
As Mrs. Crasta aptly reflected after the event, everything went well, and there is much to look forward to in future collaborations.
The message of the initiative will continue to inspire:
Plant a fruit tree. Give a bird a home. Give a community a greener future.
Because every fruit tree makes a difference—and when many hands come together, that difference can transform an entire city.
Together for a Greener Mangaluru.
Youth. Community. Nature.
