48,000 trees mapped as Mysuru rolls out city-wide tree audit

The comprehensive tree census that has commenced in the city, an initiative by the Mysuru district administration, with the support of the Bherunda Foundation, has already documented 48,000 trees, with the city-wide exercise expected to be completed by the end of March, positioning Mysuru as a ‘green city’.

Under the initiative, every tree in all wards of the city will be scientifically documented to create robust data for future urban planning, environmental policy formulation, and green-zone development.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in connection with the tree audit project titled ‘Nammara’ (my tree) was signed, marking the launch of the comprehensive tree enumeration and green-zone assessment programme, ‘Mysuru Tree Audit 2025–26’.

Of the 65 wards under the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), surveys are currently underway in 37 wards, with more than 48,000 trees already documented. The survey across all wards is targeted for completion by March 31.

The ambitious project is being implemented by the Bherunda Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL), Mangaluru, combining environmental research, scientific methodologies, and active citizen participation. The district administration has signed an MoU with the Bherunda Foundation to undertake the scientific census of trees across Mysuru city.

How trees are documented

According to the Bherunda Foundation, each tree will be geo-tagged and documented using location-based mapping, growth parameters, and biomass data. Tree health assessments will be conducted to identify threats such as diseases, concretisation, and root damage, followed by appropriate conservation measures. Details, including species, height, trunk diameter, and canopy spread, will be scientifically recorded.

“Biodiversity assessment will be carried out, while city-level carbon stock will also be estimated,” a press release from the Foundation said.

After completion of the survey, a comprehensive report along with biodiversity indices will be released after March 2026. “The report is expected to serve as a document for shaping Mysuru’s environmental policies and urban planning for future generations,” it said.

Bherunda Foundation President Trishika Kumari Wodeyar said trees play a crucial role in urban ecosystems. “They not only enhance green cover but also provide abundant oxygen. Understanding the importance of tree-related data is vital, and I urge every citizen to become part of this initiative,” she said.

Expressing gratitude to the district administration for the opportunity to conserve the city’s green wealth, she added, “Let Mysuru be filled with abundant greenery, because trees are our lifeline.”

The organisers appealed to citizens, volunteers, and institutions to actively participate in the initiative through volunteer training programmes, field surveys, and public awareness campaigns. “The Mysuru Tree Audit 2025–26 is not merely a survey; it is a pledge of responsibility towards nature and the future of our children,” they stated.