At a time when the rapid construction of concrete roads and interlocking footpaths has left little room for trees, fruit-bearing plants flourishing along the main road in Bavutagudda serve as a model of urban greenery. These trees, now bearing fruits, have become a unique attraction for passersby.
Planted along the Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty Road (Opposite the MAHE campus) in Bavutagudda, fruit trees such as Dharepuli, Bimpuli, and Jambu Nerale are now yielding fruits. Growing gracefully in the narrow space between the footpath and the concrete road, these trees are laden with fruits even before reaching their full height, capturing the attention of pedestrians.
A Vision for a ‘City of Fruits’
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Planted a Year Ago
These trees were planted during the final phase of the last monsoon under the guidance of environmentalist Madhava Ullal. Supported by Mangaluru Smart City Project and a sponsor, these saplings have been nurtured with weekly watering during summer.
A year later, some trees have started flowering while others are already bearing fruits. The site hosts 15 trees, including varieties like wild gooseberry, sweet gooseberry, three types of Jambu Nerale, and Jarege.
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Several trees have already begun bearing fruits, with Indian blackberries expected to ripen within a month. These trees grow without causing inconvenience to adjacent shops, pedestrians, or vehicles. “It feels rewarding to see such efforts bear fruit. With encouragement, similar initiatives can be undertaken in other parts of the city where space is available,” says Madhava Ullal. He envisions transforming Mangaluru into a ‘City of Fruits’ through such efforts, emphasizing the need for public and administrative support to expand these green initiatives.