Greening Brown Road, Growing a Healthier Nallur

The 9th Phase of the Green Nallur Initiative

A greener, healthier and more climate-resilient Jaffna is being built through practical local partnerships. On Sunday, 1 November 2026, the Green Nallur Initiative advanced this shared vision with the launch of its ninth phase: a roadside tree-planting campaign along Brown Road, close to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.

Organised through collaboration between the Wellbeing Center of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, and the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, the campaign brought together academic leadership, local government representatives, faculty staff and members of the surrounding community. The activity focused on greening a key public thoroughfare while encouraging residents to take part in caring for the trees planted in their neighbourhood.

From the Faculty Nursery to the Streets of Nallur

The saplings planted through the campaign were grown and donated by the Tree Nursery of the Wellbeing Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Their journey from the nursery to Brown Road reflects the practical contribution that a university-based initiative can make beyond the campus—supporting local environmental action with planting material nurtured for community use.

The campaign poster announced the activity for 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at Brown Road, Jaffna. The planting effort was part of the wider Green Jaffna Project, an umbrella initiative that promotes planetary health and environmental sustainability across the region.

Partnership and Community Participation

The event was coordinated by Prof. B. Balagobi, Coordinator of the Green Jaffna Project and Coordinator of the Wellbeing Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Prof. K. Murugananthan, a member of the Green Jaffna Project and Head of the Department of Parasitology, also participated. Local government representation included Mr. Mayuran, Chairman of the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, and its members Mr. Rahul and Mr. Paatheepan. Mr. Prem, Public Health Inspector, joined local community members and Faculty staff in supporting the activity.

Community involvement was central to the campaign. By engaging people who live and work along Brown Road, the initiative seeks to build a sense of shared responsibility for the young trees—not only at the time of planting, but throughout their establishment and growth.

Planetary Health: Connecting People, Place and Nature

The Green Nallur Initiative reflects a central principle of planetary health: human wellbeing is closely connected to the condition of the natural and built environments in which people live. Roadside trees can, as they mature, provide shade, support urban greenery and contribute to more pleasant public spaces. The campaign also creates opportunities for environmental awareness and local stewardship.

As a specialized subgroup under the broader Green Jaffna Project, Green Nallur contributes to a longer-term vision of sustainable green corridors across the Jaffna peninsula. Its approach combines nursery-based sapling production, collaboration with local authorities and community participation in field-level planting.

Growing the Impact Beyond Planting Day

Planting is the beginning of the process. The long-term value of the campaign will depend on suitable site conditions, regular watering, protection from damage and follow-up monitoring to support sapling survival. Continued coordination among the Wellbeing Center, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha and residents along Brown Road will therefore be essential.

Through the ninth phase of Green Nallur, the Faculty of Medicine and its partners reaffirm their commitment to translating planetary-health principles into visible community action. Together, they are working towards a greener Nallur and a healthier, more climate-resilient Jaffna.

Together, let’s build a greener, healthier and climate-resilient Nallur.

Activity Report

Ninth Phase of the Green Nallur Initiative

Roadside Tree-Planting Campaign | Brown Road, Jaffna | 1 November 2026

1. Background

The Green Jaffna Project is an umbrella initiative dedicated to advancing planetary health and environmental sustainability across the Jaffna region. The Green Nallur Initiative operates as a specialized subgroup within this broader programme. The ninth phase focused on roadside greening along Brown Road, a key road in close proximity to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.

2. Event Details

Activity	Ninth phase of the Green Nallur Initiative – community tree-planting campaign
Date	Sunday, 1 November 2026
Time	9:30 a.m. (as stated on the campaign poster)
Location	Brown Road, Jaffna
Organising partners	Wellbeing Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna; Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha
Planting material	Tree saplings grown and donated by the Tree Nursery of the Wellbeing Center

3. Key Participants

The activity involved academic leaders, local government representatives, a Public Health Inspector, Faculty staff and local community members. The named participants recorded in the event information were:

• B. Balagobi – Coordinator of the Green Jaffna Project and Coordinator of the Wellbeing Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.
• K. Murugananthan – Member of the Green Jaffna Project and Head of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine.
• Mayuran – Chairman, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha.
• Rahul and Mr. Paatheepan – Members, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha.
• Prem – Public Health Inspector (PHI).
• Local community members and Faculty staff.

4. Main Activities and Contributions

• Tree saplings raised at the Wellbeing Center Tree Nursery were transported for planting along Brown Road.
• The campaign brought together the Faculty of Medicine, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha and local community members in a shared roadside-greening activity.
• Participants took part in planting activities at selected roadside and community locations.
• The activity promoted local awareness and community stewardship of newly planted trees.

5. Significance for Planetary Health

The campaign demonstrates how a university, local government and community partners can translate planetary-health principles into practical action. Increasing roadside tree cover can contribute to shade, biodiversity and improved public spaces over time. The initiative also links environmental sustainability with community participation and wellbeing.

6. Follow-up Priorities

To help ensure that the planted saplings become an enduring environmental asset, the following follow-up actions are recommended:

• Agree on clear responsibility for watering and routine care of the planted saplings.
• Protect young trees from physical damage, grazing and avoidable disturbance.
• Monitor sapling survival and growth at regular intervals and record replacement needs.
• Maintain coordination among the Wellbeing Center, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha and residents along Brown Road.
• Continue community engagement and awareness activities to strengthen local ownership.

7. Conclusion

The ninth phase of the Green Nallur Initiative, held on 1 November 2026 along Brown Road, represents a collaborative step towards a greener and more climate-resilient Jaffna. The contribution of nursery-grown saplings by the Wellbeing Center and the participation of Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, Faculty staff and community members demonstrate the value of shared action. Sustained care and monitoring will be important to translate the planting activity into lasting environmental benefit.

Prepared for institutional reporting and public communication

Supporting Document