August 27, 2005: A brief summary of Shree Padre’s article on BCRT that was featured in Kannada Magazine, SUDHA

Jayanth G.R*

The seminal efforts of BCRT in afforesting Anuganalu and neighboring villages and providing environmental education and awareness to its people was recognized by Sudha (18th Aug, 2005) a popular Kannada weekly with a readership of over 1.7 million, which featured an article titled ‘Maleguddakke Hasiru Seere’ or ‘Wrapping the Rain-hill with Green Cover’. In this article, noted environmentalist and Agri-journalist, Sri. Shree Padre, describes his experiences on his visit to Anuganalu to attend an awareness camp that was organized by BCRT.

Sigegudda (also called Malegudda), a hill close to Anuganalu, has been an important focus area for BCRT. The article starts by describing the motivation for afforesting it, based on the scientific evidence that vegetation on hills trap moisture from clouds, mist, fog and rain. This would greatly alleviate problems of water shortage that the neighboring villages often suffer and also restore wildlife its natural home. Sri. Padre describes the scientific agricultural practices of Dr. Malali Gowda’s father (Late Sri. Range Gowda), which infused the volunteers of BCRT with a love for nature and a commitment to enrich it.

However, people need to be convinced that such a small effort as planting local trees and caring for nature would actually build a more secure future for them. The formation of BCRT in 2001, which started by afforesting a barren patch of land within Anuganalu and subsequent activities of the organization, has dispelled the lingering doubts people had about the technique. This has been followed by a number of progressive activities, including de-silting a lake, which has now taken the looks of a bird sanctuary, supplying seedlings to schools and to farmers, conserving and documenting medicinal plants and conducting eco- and agricultural workshops to educate people.

This article speaks also of the extreme interest Dr. Gowda takes in all of BCRT’s activities and the capable leadership of the honorary president Dr. Doddahanumaiah and the secretary Mr. Krishnamurthy. It speaks of the inspiration this work has provided to the people of Rays of Hope Foundation at Kunigal, Kalpatharu Parisara Sangha at Tiptur and Agricultural University of Kerala and to others who are directly or indirectly associated with BCRT. It ends on the note that such organizations as BCRT are the right role models for modern India and calls for more people to be environmentally sensitive and enrich our mother land as Dr. Gowda and the volunteers of BCRT have tried and succeeded in doing.

Reference:

Shree Padre: ‘Maleguddakke Hasiru Seere or Wrapping the Rain-hill with Green Cover, SUDHA Kannada Magazine, August 18, 2005, page 47-49.

Shree Padre can be reached at Vaninagar Post, Perla - 671 552, Kerala State, India, E-mail: yespee@gmail.com; Web: www.farmedia.org/profiles/Padre.html

*Jayanth G R, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio OH 43210, Email: gobbalipur-ranga.1@osu.edu

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