Singapore’s ‘Tree Lady’ Kirtida Mekani leaves a legacy of greenery and community spirit
Kirtida Mekani, known as Singapore’s 'tree lady,' has died at 66 after shaping the city’s environment for more than 30 years. Born in Karnataka, India, she moved to Singapore in 1990 and later became a citizen, inspired by the lush greenery she saw on her first drive from Changi Airport. Her work left a lasting mark on sustainability, community gardening, and environmental education across the country.
Mekani’s passion for nature began on her family’s farm in India. There, a caretaker taught her how nature could guide and inspire. This early influence stayed with her when she arrived in Singapore in 1990.
By 1993, she had become the founding executive director of the Singapore Environment Council. In this role, she designed and launched over 50 environmental programmes. One of her most notable initiatives was the Plant-A-Tree Programme, started in 2007. It brought together more than 100,000 participants to plant over 76,000 trees.
Her efforts extended beyond tree planting. Mekani served on the Garden City Fund Management Committee and acted as an ambassador for Community in Bloom. Under her support, 1,900 community gardens flourished, tended by 45,000 volunteers. She also believed sustainability should be a shared practice, encouraging public involvement to make it a habit.
Recognition for her contributions came in 2015 with the President’s Award for the Environment. Nearly a decade later, in 2024, she was inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame. Beyond these roles, she co-founded the Biomimicry Singapore Network in 2016 and served as a trustee for the United World College of South East Asia Foundation.
Mekani’s work helped reinforce Singapore’s reputation as a city where greenery softens urban life. Her programmes planted trees, nurtured gardens, and involved thousands in caring for the environment. The impact of her decades-long dedication remains visible in parks, gardens, and community initiatives across the island.
Read also:
- GM’s Charlotte warehouse gets a high-tech overhaul for faster, safer operations
- Battersea Bridge to undergo 11-month safety overhaul for pedestrians and cyclists
- Hidden Exploitation Uncovered in UK’s Growing Nail Bar Industry
- Ian Lindo Honored as 2025 Military Child of the Year for Leadership and Service
