1934 – 2002

Harekala Moidin’s life journey was marked by his commitment to environmental conservation and advocacy for social justice. Born in 1934 to Abdul Rahman and Khatijamma in Kisan Nagar, Harekala, he hailed from a family with a tradition of Ayurvedic scholarship.

After graduating from Karnataka Polytechnic as a General Mechanic, Moidin began his career at a reputed company in Tamil Nadu. However, his strong advocacy for workers’ rights led to his dismissal from the job. Undeterred, he relocated to Andhra Pradesh, where he played an active role in the formation of the Anna DMK party with MGR. Despite having the potential to become a prominent leader, Moidin grew disillusioned with the political system’s corruption and manipulation.

Returning to his hometown, Moidin turned his attention to combating the injustices perpetuated by the landlord system. He became deeply involved in environmental activism, leading what would come to be known as the Green Revolution in Harekala.

Although his name may not be widely recognized, Moidin’s impact on environmentalism and social justice in Harekala remains significant.

In 1974, Harekala Moidin embarked on a mission to rehabilitate destitute families, successfully securing one acre of government land each for 94 out of 154 families in need. Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, he initiated programs such as jasmine cultivation, horticulture, nursery management, and poultry farming to empower the underprivileged communities. Inspired by the tree revolution advocate Ben Sones, Moidin became deeply involved in environmental activism.

With the assistance of government grants from the forest department, Moidin and he began planting saplings in barren lands across eight villages, including Pavur, Harekala, Boliyaru, Konaje, Pajeeru, Ambamogaru, Kurnadu, and Permannur, as well as throughout the state of Karnataka. He introduced medicinal plants to the local environment, enriching the biodiversity of the region.

Today, the more than 25 lakh towering trees lining the roadsides in these areas stand as a testament to Moidin’s tireless efforts. He also planted the iconic palm trees surrounding Mangalore University in Konaje, leaving a lasting impact on the landscape. Harekala still boasts numerous valuable medicinal trees planted by Moidin, including the Singapore nut. However, due to rampant theft and illegal selling of these trees, they were eventually entrusted to the Gram Panchayath of Supardi for safekeeping.

He authored three books on herbal plants, including one on domestic medicine, which was published posthumously.

Additionally, the Harekala Landless Poor and Small Farmers Development Association erected a bus shelter in Harekala Kisan Nagar in his memory in 2002.

Throughout his lifetime, Moidin received recognition for his environmental activism, including the prestigious “Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra” award in 1987 and the UNEP’s ‘The Global 500’ award in Nairobi.

Harekala Moidin passed away on May 1, 2002, leaving behind his wife, three sons, and three daughters.