Vruksha Mitra Award” Presented to Dr. K. Manikya Kumari

Visakhapatnam- Indian News Times4 -9-2026 Dr. K. Manikya Kumari, Head, Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College for Women (Autonomous), Visakhapatnam, was honoured with the prestigious “Vruksha Mitra Award – 2026” by the Sri Kannam Srinivasa Rao Memorial Trust in recognition of her remarkable contributions and initiatives towards environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, anti-plastic campaigns and climate action.

Dr. Manikya Kumari received the award from the Chief guest Prof. V. Bala Mohan Das, former Vice-Chancellor, Acharua Nagarjuna University, and guest of honour  Prof. E. U. B. Reddy, former Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University. The programme was organised by Sri K. V. Ramana Rao, General Secretary of the Trust, along with Sri Pappala Chalapathi, former Member of Parliament and former Chairman of TTD and Smt. P. Antharvedi, President of Ba- Bapu Sangham at Dwarakanagar..

Dr. Manikya Kumari has been actively associated with various NGOs and organisations through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has collaborated with the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (APSBDB) and undertaken the verification and updation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) in 60 villages of Visakhapatnam district.

One of her notable environmental initiatives was her active involvement in the remarkable achievement of the students and faculty of St. Joseph’s College for Women in preparing 11,91,000 seed balls within one hour, thereby setting two world records in July 2025. She has also trained Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Range Officers and Vanasainiks of the Forest Department in the preparation and broadcasting of seed balls.

She has collaborated with FRCCE on initiatives related to urban biodiversity in Visakhapatnam and has actively participated in environmental awareness programmes. She also received appreciation from China Jeier Swamy for her contribution to the Save Earth campaign.

As part of her commitment to protecting aquatic and coastal biodiversity, Dr. Manikya Kumari has organised and participated in beach-cleaning programmes, particularly focusing on reducing plastic pollution and creating environmental awareness among students and the community.

Her sustained efforts towards environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and climate action have earned her appreciation from various environmental organisations and institutions.

The Principal, Dr. Sr. Shyji P. D., college management, faculty members and students congratulated Dr. Manikya Kumari on receiving the prestigious Vruksha Mitra Award – 2026 and appreciated her dedicated service towards environmental sustainability.