Karnataka

In the woodlands of Brahmavar in Karnataka’s Udupi district, 98 butterfly species have flourished naturally over the past year. This sanctuary highlights the power of preserving native habitats and showcases the role butterflies play in maintaining ecological health in the state’s coastal belt.

In Haralahalli, Karnataka, 75-year-old Anke Gowda has spent over five decades building Pustaka Mane, a library of nearly 20 lakh books. Open to all, it houses rare manuscripts, multilingual dictionaries, and treasures that celebrate India’s love for reading.

A decade ago, Vijayapura in Karnataka was barren, with almost no forest cover. Today, a people-led greening campaign has grown 15 million trees, reviving water, land, and hope.

In Karnataka’s villages once left in the dark, engineer Sohan Naik and his company, Power Planet, are rewriting daily life. From classrooms to farms and shops, their solar systems now power 2,700 homes and 350 businesses — restoring dignity, trust, and opportunity.

Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group from Dharwad’s Teertha village wins UNDP’s Equator Initiative Award for pioneering sustainable farming practices, millet revival initiatives, and unwavering commitment to food and nutritional security.

Amid India’s growing water crisis, meet five inspiring water warriors who are restoring ponds, building check dams, and bringing clean water to millions. This September, The Better India Showcase 2025 is honouring their impact.

Every monsoon, Gundlupet in Karnataka bursts into bloom with golden sunflowers. Nicknamed the ‘Flowerpot of India’, it’s a must-visit from June to September.

After graduating with an engineering degree, a young woman from rural Karnataka faced a future with no job offers and just Rs 6,000 in household income. But a free 35-day training program changed everything—helping her build confidence, sharpen her skills, and land a ₹40,000/month job that transformed her family’s life.

Every monsoon, a government-run nursery in Udupi, Karnataka, offers indigenous saplings for as little as Rs 20, encouraging locals to grow native forests on their land. Here’s how Siva Sankar and his team at Magadha Vana used this initiative to transform their farm.

Once a street kulfi seller in Mumbai, Tajuddin Malwani built a multi-crore ice cream empire with Old Mumbai Dairy. Here’s his inspiring journey of grit and growth.