Mangaluru
The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) concluded its World Heritage Week celebrations with the inauguration of an exhibition titled Kattes of Mangaluru at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture. The exhibition highlighted the cultural and environmental significance of kattes—sacred tree platforms that serve as community hubs and landmarks in the coastal region.
The exhibition was the outcome of a two-year documentation project led by INTACH Mangaluru Chapter Convener Subhas Chandra Basu, in collaboration with architects and architecture students. The project documented approximately 200 kattes across old Mangaluru, showcasing their historical and evolving roles. Basu explained that while these spaces have increasingly become sites of religious significance, this transition helps conserve them but also limits the traditional social and recreational activities once associated with kattes.
Environmentalist Madhav Ullal, the chief guest, praised INTACH for its initiative and highlighted the rapid disappearance of Mangaluru’s green cover due to unchecked urbanization. He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of tree protection laws, citing low fines for tree cutting.
A printed report detailing the documentation efforts was unveiled, and the exhibition will remain open daily at the Kodial Guthu Centre from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until Saturday.
