More trees added to Belthangady's Kargil Vana that turned 5
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Mangaluru: About 200 more trees were added in the last four years to the Kargil Vana in Mundaje near Belthangady, developed in memory of India's fallen soldiers. Spread across five acres, Kargil Vana stands as a tribute to the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War.
At present, the forest boasts over 800 thriving trees and plants, each rooted in gratitude.
Sachin Bhide, a farmer and environmentalist, transformed his unfulfilled dream of joining the Indian Army into a larger mission of honouring soldiers through nature. In 2020, Sachin began planting a forest on his ancestral land, and today, five years later, of the 800-plus trees planted at the Kargil Vana, 527 were dedicated specifically to the memory of each martyr of the Kargil conflict.
Every Kargil Vijay Diwas, the forest glows with rows of earthen lamps in what Sachin terms as a quiet Deepotsava, held not in fanfare, but in reverence. "The families of soldiers, along with the public, are welcome to visit, reflect, and walk among the trees that stand in silent tribute," he told TOI.
"Building a forest is not easy, especially when elephants often pose a threat. Guarding these trees is a challenge," said Sachin, who nurtures each sapling at his own expense.
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More than a memorial, Kargil Vana has evolved into a platform for awareness, hosting tree-planting drives, environmental campaigns, and patriotic events. The space is plastic-free, and plans to develop walking trails and seating for visitors.
Sachin's environmental journey goes beyond this forest. A volunteer with the Dharmasthala Disaster Response Team, Shourya, actively supports afforestation projects, river and lake clean-ups, and even helps rescue and rehabilitate reptiles.
He is often referred to as an 'Environmental Soldier'.
"This forest is my salute to the Indian Army. People may forget names, but trees grow, give shade, and keep memories alive. Visitors are welcome with respect and without plastic," he said. He was recently honoured with the Aranya Mitra Award by the SKDRDP and the forest department.
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