Mangaluru: In a unique and meaningful celebration of World Environment Day 2026, students of Government High School, Badaga Yekkaru, marked the first birthday of a bakula (renje) tree planted during last year’s Environment Day celebrations.As part of the celebration, class 10 students prepared greeting cards and presented them to the tree, wishing it a happy birthday. Class 9 students wrote letters conveying their wishes to the tree. In another creative activity, students were asked to imagine themselves as the bakula tree, and write a letter expressing gratitude to the students who had planted and nurtured it over the past year.Students of class 8 gifted several saplings to mark the occasion. These saplings were presented to Bhavish and Rimith, the two students who had taken care of the bakula tree since it was planted. The school decided to plant and nurture the gifted saplings within the campus.In accordance with the ministry of environment initiative, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, a symbolic tree-planting programme was also held on the school campus, with the participation of students and their parents.Addressing the gathering, headmistress Indira N Rao spoke about the significance of this year’s World Environment Day. She noted that the Republic of Azerbaijan is the host country for the 2026 celebrations, and that major global events would be held in Baku. Referring to this year’s theme, ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,’ she stressed the need to protect trees, conserve natural resources and maintain a clean environment to ensure a healthier climate and a sustainable future.Class 10 student Apsana Banu delivered an informative presentation on the bakula tree. She explained that the tree is native to South and Southeast Asia and is commonly found in the Western Ghats. Mentioning references to the bakula tree in ancient literature, including Kalidasa’s works ‘Abhijnana Shakuntalam’ and ‘Meghadoot’, she highlighted its beauty, fragrance and medicinal value. According to ayurvedic texts, various parts of the tree are used to treat toothache, respiratory ailments, skin diseases and other health conditions.As part of the first birthday celebration, alumnus Jaganath distributed sweets to the students.
