The green guardian of Karnataka's Karighatta Hill

Y Ramesh, a 52-year-old goods auto owner-driver, has spent the past 14 years transforming Karighatta Hill in Mandya district into a greener landscape. He transports drinking water cans for a living, but dedicates his time to planting and nurturing saplings across the hill. He has also hung terracotta bowls on trees, regularly filling them with water to help birds quench their thirst. 

Over the years, Ramesh has planted more than 3,500 saplings across 565 acres of forest land on Karighatta Hill and surrounding areas, along with nearly 25 acres around temples, roadsides, burial grounds and school premises. Of these, around 2,000 saplings have grown strong enough to survive on their own, while the remaining 1,500 require regular care. “Each sapling is watered once a week during summer,” he said. 

Y Ramesh carries water to quench the thirst of plants on Karighatta Hill in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district. Photo: Special arrangement

With temperatures soaring this year, Ramesh is worried about the survival of saplings planted in the last two to three years, as well as the well-being of birds. “Some philanthropists have sponsored 15 tankers of water over the past month, as the heat has been severely affecting the plants. One tanker of 4,500 litres is sufficient for about 100 saplings,” he explained. 

A native of Chandagalu village in Srirangapatna taluk, Ramesh moved to Srirangapatna town about 15 years ago to start his water-can transport business. A year later, he began planting saplings, a mission he has continued ever since with dedication. Initially, his work was self-funded but gradually gained support from philanthropists and volunteers who contributed financially and through voluntary work. 

Seeds of change

Explaining the origin of his initiative, Ramesh said, “Karighatta derives its name from an age-old practice where devotees would set fire to plants and trees atop the hill during the Brahmarathotsava, usually held in February or March, to fulfil their vows. The origin of this practice is unclear. The temple did not endorse it and even the Forest Department took action several times, but people often found ways around it. I was deeply pained by this and decided to stop it.”

Ramesh began conducting awareness programmes, delivering lectures in schools, and staging street plays on the hill and in surrounding villages with the help of volunteers and students. Together, they began planting saplings of banyan, peepal, neem, mango, jackfruit and other fruit-bearing trees, while also dispersing seed balls. “Many youths, especially students, joined this initiative. We then focused on nurturing the saplings,” he said. 

Over time, these efforts helped bring the destructive practice to a halt.

Today, NSS volunteers from colleges affiliated with the University of Mysore regularly support his work by planting and nurturing trees throughout the year.

Y Ramesh carries saplings to be planted on Karighatta Hill in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district. Photo: Special arrangement

“I visited Karighatta in January 2017 and was impressed by his efforts. I realised he needed support, and as an NSS officer then, I organised a camp to assist him. Students interacted with him and learned about environmental conservation,” said Prasanna Kumar Keragodu, Assistant Professor at Mandya Government Women’s College.

So far, 26 such camps have been conducted, involving 52 batches of students from Mysuru and Mandya districts. NSS volunteers now assist him at least once a week.

Students from Srinivasa Agrahara village at the foothills have also formed a group called Hasiru Sainya with around 10 members joining Ramesh every Sunday. S N Jeevan, a BCom student, who has volunteered with Ramesh for five years, said, “Ramesh looks after the saplings like his children. We help plant and water them, and also spread awareness among other students.” 

Appreciating the work of Ramesh and his team, Javarappa, a local leader from Srinivasa Agrahara, said that due to Ramesh’s efforts, the practice of burning vegetation on the hill has completely stopped over the past two years. They now hope the hill remains green and clean.

Ramesh also expressed gratitude to Forest Department officials for their support in providing saplings and permitting plantation activities on Karigatta Hill. "It is good that Ramesh is introducing children to the concept of forest, environment and conservation, and also engages them in activities like planting of saplings and watering. The children can, in turn, create awareness among their families and friends. He is helpful to the Forest department in various initiatives," said Shylaja, Srirangapatna Range Forest Officer.