Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala

Karkala, Feb 10: Several saplings planted at the public Hindu cremation ground in Karkala were destroyed in a fire allegedly caused by miscreants, triggering concern among local administrators and environmental volunteers.

The saplings had been planted and nurtured under the joint initiative of the Public Hindu Cremation Ground Management Committee and the Neklaje Shri Kalikamba Temple Administration. The fire gutted a number of fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees, including jamun, birundi, jackfruit and mango, which had been carefully planted and maintained over the past two years.

Expressing anguish over the incident, Prakash Rao, a key member of the cremation ground management committee, said that while planting saplings is important, protecting and nurturing them is an equally challenging task.

He stated that the fire likely spread due to carelessly discarded beedis or cigarette butts, which ignited dry vegetation in the area and led to the destruction of the saplings.

Rao stressed the need for greater public awareness and responsibility, especially in public spaces, to prevent such incidents in the future.

“The loss of these trees is deeply unfortunate. They were planted with care and meant to provide environmental benefits for years to come,” he said, urging citizens to act responsibly and support efforts to protect green cover.