As years pass by, the list of initiatives undertaken by dedicated organizations continues to grow. “Hombevu,” an organization founded with the core mission of environmental protection, has now stepped into its third year. On this occasion, here is a brief look at the unique work its volunteers have done and continue to do.
Although Hombevu is now three years old, its president, Shailaja Gowdatti, who envisioned and brought it to life, has been devoutly dedicated to environmental protection for the past three decades. Near the railway station on 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, along the Cloony Convent Road, the BBMP had planted Hongé (Pongamia) saplings 20 years ago and left them abandoned. Shailaja personally took up the task of carrying pots, watering, and nurturing them. Thanks to her efforts, that road has now transformed into a beautiful, shaded avenue lined with Hongé trees. This is just one small example!
Members of the environmental community speak highly of her, noting that whether invited or not, she works as an active volunteer in environmental programs. She has been actively volunteering to raise awareness about plastic in schools, participating directly in plastic clean-up drives, planting and nurturing saplings in spacious school premises, traveling to remote rural areas to explain the effects of global warming to villagers, gathering communities to plant trees, and building “Nakshatravana” (gardens based on astrological constellations) filled with medicinal plants.
“I always wanted to give an institutional framework to the work we were doing both organized work and unorganized. My friends in our circle supported this idea. As a result, ‘Hombevu’ was inaugurated on May 9, 2024, at a “Mannina Mane” (mud house) in Ammanaghatta, Gubbi Taluk of Tumakuru district. Symbolically, the banner of the new organization was unveiled. On this occasion, events like an eco-walk, planting diverse saplings, singing environmental awareness songs, and a forest feast (Vanabhojana) were organized. Friends from distant places like Bengaluru and Mandya also attended,” recalled Shailaja Gowdatti.
Many have contributed to the shaping of “Hombevu.” She mentioned that renowned singer Prabha Inamdar, along with Professor Swati, Gagana, and Latha—who are deeply involved in environmental conservation—are also supporting the cause as office-bearers.
Continuing the Mission
After establishing their own organization, they continued many of the initiatives they had been practicing for years. Most notably, they work on raising public awareness about the Bio-Park on the Bengaluru Jnana Bharathi campus. By organizing weekly eco-walks in this park, they invite newcomers and instill environmental consciousness in them. During these walks, Shailaja Gowdatti explains, they provide details about the park’s biodiversity, including various plant and bird species.
“When attending different functions, I used to see plastic plates and cups being used and thrown everywhere. This used to distress me. Wanting to stop this as much as possible, I established a ‘Plate Bank’ through Hombevu. Currently, it has 200 steel plates and 200 steel glasses. Anyone can borrow them for free, use them, clean them, and return them. Interested people are already making use of this facility,” she said.
Since its inception, Hombevu has planted a diverse variety of saplings on the premises of the Bengaluru Akashvani (All India Radio) station. A unique feature is that these include a wide array of flowering plants. Hombevu also distributes free cloth bags during various events. Furthermore, Shailaja explained that a program was organized to plant complementary medicinal plants under the “Nakshatravana” concept at the Sri Doneganga Kshetra premises in Karekurchi, Gubbi Taluk, Tumakuru district. This initiative was supported by the “Ganasiri Trust” of Bengaluru.
Future Visions
Alongside these initiatives, programs are organized for all environment-related commemorative days. These events are held not just in Bengaluru city but also in remote rural areas with the cooperation of locals. Shailaja Gowdatti outlined their future plans:
• Increasing the number of steel plates and glasses in the “Plate Bank.”
• Conducting environmental campaigns by visiting schools and colleges across the state.
• Raising awareness about projects that are detrimental to the environment.
• Clearing concrete and asphalt from tree bases: In urban areas, concrete and asphalt are often paved right up to the trunks of remaining trees, which is fatal to their growth. The organization plans to clear this asphalt and concrete from around tree bases as much as possible.
“Environmental protection is not the job of just a few environmentalists. Every citizen must become an environmentalist. Only then can environmental balance be achieved. It is a matter of joy that ‘Hombevu,’ which was founded alongside like
