Plant sapling, save TG Halli

Plant sapling, save TG Halli
The Times of India

Bangalore: A year after a couple of NGOs began a project to rejuvenate Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) catchment area, another organisation has come forward to do the same.

This time, Parisara, the NGO, has tied up with BWSSB to help citizens participate in the ‘re-greening’ process. By paying Rs 500, a citizen gets to have a sapling planted in her/his name, and for the next five years, Parisara will take care of the sapling’s growth. The project area comprises 300 acres downstream of T.G. Halli reservoir.

At the official launch on Sunday, Parisara member Eshwar Prasad said the idea is to plant saplings of jackfruit, mango, jamun and species of ficus (fig). Additional chief secretary Vijay Gore planted a sapling in his mother’s name and said the rejuvenation, if successful, will convert the area into a veritable ‘oxygen factory’. BWSSB chairman S.K. Pattanayak echoed his views.

The project is being coordinated by Spoorthivana Trust, which will have Gore as a member. Organisers hope, it will become a mass movement and Prasad for one, wants to plant 20,000 saplings on the 300-acre project area.
But will the scheme succeed? Just a year ago, another NGO, Navachetana Trust, had a similar programme in the same area. Later, however, the programme Project Vananjali seemed to lose momentum. When questioned about it, BWSSB officials said the programme has shifted to Hessarghatta lake.

At the moment, Spoorthivana’ programme is to be held every Sunday and is open to all.
Contact Prasad on 9448077019 or email: ecolinker@hotmail.com.