“Mission Flame Orange” transforms a deteriorating park in Hubli

The power to create change, one step at a time, no matter how small, should not be overlooked.  The Deshpande Fellows have embraced this idea and plugged their energy into beautifying Nrupatunga Betta, the only natural park in the city, one step at a time.   The Fellows, all donning bright orange T-shirts, call their efforts “Mission Flame Orange.”

The hillock, adjacent to Unkal railway station, is frequented by joggers, walkers, parents, children and even lovers.   But despite the utility of the site and the satisfaction the visitors glean from the park, no one seems to be paying much attention to improving and maintaining the park’s condition.

“The visitors who come here for recreation sadly litter gutka packets, snack covers, cigarette packets, chocolate covers, paper plates and used bottles all around the hill,” says one of the Fellows.  The litter distracts from the natural beauty of the area, decreases its utility and is detrimental to the environment.

To remedy the situation, Fellows regularly visit the park to collect and dispose of the litter, but they do not stop there.  The Fellows are determined to create a sustainable solution and therefore have placed four cement trash bins about the park, erected signs discouraging litter and brightened the structures with vibrant paints, all in an effort to encourage visitors to take better care of this natural sanctuary.

Most recently, the Fellows have launched “Project Hari-ya-Ali,” an initiative aimed at spreading the green by encouraging the public to sponsor the planting of trees.  Fellows plan to continue to augment their activities by broadening their awareness campaign, scaling up their fund-raising efforts, petioning for government intervention and spreading their model throughout the Hubli-Dharwad region.