Mysuru Comes Alive for World Environment Day with a Vibrant Parisara Habba

When the calendar flipped to June 5, the city of Mysuru woke up to a palpable sense of excitement. Banners fluttered, volunteers in bright caps gathered, and the slogan “Let’s make every day a green day” echoed from every corner. The occasion? World Environment Day, celebrated this year with a home‑grown extravaganza called Parisara Habba – literally, the ‘Environment Festival.’

Organised by the Mysuru City Corporation in partnership with local NGOs, schools and a handful of enthusiastic residents, the day kicked off with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the historic Mysore Palace grounds. Karnataka’s Environment Minister, Shri Aravind Kumar, addressed the crowd, reminding everyone that protecting nature is not just a duty but a shared joy. “When we plant a sapling, we plant hope,” he said, prompting a round of applause.

The programme was a delightful blend of activism and art. Over 3,000 saplings—native species like neem, gulmohar and sandal—were handed out to families, who were then guided to nearby parks for planting. Simultaneously, youth volunteers roamed the city’s lanes with biodegradable bags, picking up litter that often hides in plain sight. By noon, more than 5 tonnes of waste had been collected, turning the streets cleaner and the participants prouder.

Culture found its way into the green theme, too. Folk singers performed traditional Kannada songs that praise forests, while school children showcased skits dramatizing the consequences of plastic misuse. A local chef even set up a stall serving “green” snacks—spiced millet rotis and jaggery‑sweetened fruit chaat—proving that sustainability can tickle the taste buds.

One of the most heart‑warming moments arrived when senior citizens, many of whom had witnessed Mysuru’s rapid urbanisation, joined the younger crowd in planting a row of trees along the bustling Karanji Lake promenade. Their stories of “when this place was just a stretch of mud” resonated with the audience, reinforcing the idea that protecting the environment bridges generations.

As the sun set, volunteers gathered for a reflective “lamp‑lighting” ceremony, each candle symbolising a personal pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle. The day closed with promises of follow‑up actions: a monthly community clean‑up calendar, an upcoming workshop on composting, and a pledge to increase the city’s green cover by 15 % over the next five years. Parisara Habba proved, once again, that when a community comes together, even the smallest actions can create a ripple of lasting change.