In a powerful demonstration of community-led environmental action, the parishioners of St. Roque’s Church, Neerude, gathered in large numbers this Sunday morning to celebrate Vanamahotsava, the annual festival of trees.
The event, which commenced immediately following the morning Holy Mass, transformed the local church grounds into a hub of ecological awareness. Guided by the poignant Konkani motto, "ಪರಿಸರ್ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣ್ ಆಮ್ಜಿ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ" (Environmental protection is our responsibility), the initiative underscored a collective determination to address pressing climate and conservation issues at a grassroots level.
The success of this year’s Vanamahotsava lies in the seamless collaboration across generations and church leadership branches. The event was jointly organized by a coalition of key parish groups, including:
- The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R) – Neerude Unit
- St. Roque's Association
- The youth-led Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and Young Christian Students (YCS)
- The parish Environment Commission
By bringing together both seasoned community leaders and passionate youth groups, the organizers successfully bridged the generational gap, emphasizing that the future of the local ecosystem rests in everyone's hands.