Buildings and mosquitoes mar JP Bio-diversity Park

Buildings and mosquitoes mar JP Bio-diversity Park
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) calls JP Park in Mathikere a bio-diversity park but the civic body has taken up construction of buildings where trees should be planted. Today, the Park has fewer trees, while buildings and lawns dominate what was designed to be a major oxygen bank of the city.

BMP has taken up construction of an open air theatre right in the middle of the park cutting into the green space. The open air theatre is being constructed apparently to host cultural events in the park. But more than an acre has been converted into a playground next to the park which could have been used for such events.

BMP officials do not seem to recognise the threat to the park from civil works. “Open air theatre was sanctioned last year and we had to go by it,” said BMP Deputy Conservator of Forests Krishna Udupudi.

However, the officer admitted that the park needs more trees. “We will take up planting of more trees and reduce lawns,” Udupudi said. Another problem of the park is primary storm water drain passing through it carrying foul water.

The drain is not even lined and the flow is used to create a water body at the centre of the park. BMP has not set up a treatment plant to reuse the water and as a result the lake and the park stinks apart from breeding mosquitoes.

BMP sources said that there was a proposal to set up a treatment plant but it was not taken further. Till then, the morning walkers will continue to suffer.