Mangaluru International Airport observes World Environment Day
Mangaluru: Mangaluru International Airport observed World Environment Day (WED) with a series of activities that exemplified the asset’s commitment to a green future. If beach cleanup on June 2 set the tempo for the event, the airport scaled up its pledge for a sustainable future by planting endemic varieties of plants on its premises on June 4. The finale came on June 5 when the airport distributed jasmine saplings to passengers.
The activities centered around the WED 2024 theme – Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. Passengers who arrived on the afternoon flight from Mumbai took home a sapling of the much sought-after Shankarapura Jasmine. This local variety of jasmine which has received the Geographical Indication tag is renowned for its fragrance. The locals prefer this variety of jasmine for auspicious and religious functions.
Various stakeholders connected with the airport – Customs, CISF, airline, ground handling agencies, and airport staff – joined hands to plant around 50 saplings of Mimusops elengi (Renje), Michelia champa (Champa or Sampige), Bauhinia blackeana, Saraca Ashoka and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The airport sourced these plants internally from its central nursery which was inaugurated on June 1 in the run-up to WED.
The airport also set up a ‘pledge wall’ on the first floor of the domestic security hold area allowing passengers to reaffirm their commitment to preserve and protect the environment for a better tomorrow. The passengers affixed their signatures on the pledge wall. A drawing activity centered on the WED theme allowed young travellers to artistically express their feelings for a ‘green future’.