Mangaluru: Environmentalist RK Nair (Radhakrishnan Nair), from Sullia in Dakshina Kannada, popularly known as the ‘Green Hero of India’, has been selected for the State Level Rotary Annual ‘Vandana Award-2026′ in recognition of his contributions towards afforestation in India.Nair, who hails from Kasaragod in Kerala, transformed thousands of acres of barren landscape into Miyawaki forest across 12 Indian states to combat pollution and restore biodiversity.The award is jointly instituted by the Rotary Club of Mangalore Central and the Rotaract Club of Mangalore city. The award comprises a citation, plaque, and memento, said B Devdas Rai, chairman of the Vandana Awards Committee, while addressing reporters on Tuesday.Shivananda Tagaduru, president of the Karnataka Working Journalists Association, will felicitate the awardee at a function to be held on March 21 at Hotel Sea View in the city. President of the Rotary Club of Mangalore Central, Bhaskar Rai Katta, will preside.Rai said that the Rotary Club and Rotaract Club annually confer their prestigious state level Vandana Award to exemplary achievers in the fields of sports, literature, industry, business, banking, music, medical science, engineering, art, culture, and community service as a part of their vocational service projects.
