By Ask Mysuru Digital Media – BVB & NIE
While most of Mysuru was still asleep, the streets of
Rajendra Nagar buzzed with a different kind of energy at 6:00 a.m. last week. Over 110 passionate students gathered under the banner of the Nammara (My Tree) initiative—a scientific tree census led by the Bherunda Foundation in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) Mangaluru.
A Powerhouse Collaboration
The drive saw a formidable partnership between two of the city’s premier institutions:
- Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB): 50 dedicated students took to the field with enthusiasm.
- National Institute of Engineering (NIE): 65 students applied their technical precision to the data collection process.
Driven by the vision of Maharani Trishika Kumari Wadiyar, Chairperson of the Bherunda Foundation, these young volunteers were not just counting trees; they were building a digital blueprint for Mysuru’s sustainable future.
From Dawn to Noon: Mapping the Canopy
The census was executed in three meticulous phases. Starting in the cool early morning hours, the teams worked tirelessly until noon, navigating every lane and by-lane of the ward. By the time the sun was at its peak, the results were astounding:
- Complete Ward Coverage: The entire Rajendra Nagar ward was successfully surveyed.
- 675+ Trees Documented: Each tree was geo-tagged and its health, species, and girth recorded.
Why It Matters
This citizen-driven data, powered by Ask Mysuru and local student bodies, ensures that every “lung space” in our neighborhood is protected against illegal felling and urban choking.
For the students of BVB and NIE, it was more than just a survey; it was a lesson in environmental stewardship. As the Nammara project aims to cover all 65 wards by late March 2026, the Rajendra Nagar model stands as a shining example of what happens when youth and heritage leadership join hands.
A Melodious Homage: The Spirit of Mysuru Royal State Anthem
The most poignant moment of the drive didn’t involve data points or GPS tags. After the final tree was recorded, the 114 students from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and the National Institute of Engineering, along with the Ask Mysuru team, gathered in a powerful circle.
In a moment of collective reverence, the air filled with the strains of ‘Kayau Sri Gowri’—the historic anthem of the Mysuru State. Singing in a grand chorus, the volunteers paid their respect to the Wodeyar Dynasty, whose vision for a “Garden City” they were now working to preserve.
This tradition of singing the anthem at the end of each census phase became the heartbeat of the initiative. It served as a reminder that the Nammara project, under the guidance of Maharani Trishika Kumari Wodeyar , is not just about counting trees—it is about honoring the legacy of the land and ensuring that the “Gilded City” remains green for generations to come.
~ Purushotham Agni
Journalist and Academician
Ask Mysuru
