For a Greener Bangalore…

For a Greener Bangalore…
Plans are on to increase the green cover at entry points to the city.
The Times of India


Green Bangalore could become greener still. As part of the Greater Bangalore project, there are plans to take up afforestation work at nine entry points to the city. The idea is to have a thick cover of vegetation at the beginning of arterial roads leading into the city. The roads that have been identified for the purpose are Mysore Road, Bellary Road, Old Madras Road, Kanakapura Road, Yelahanka Road, Magadi Road, Hosur Road and Bannerghatta Road. The plan is awaiting budgetary allocation in the coming budget. If all goes well, visitors to Bangalore could have a warm and green welcome by the end of the year, according to Krishna D Udapudi, Deputy Conservator of Forests.
There are also plans to have theme parks in different zones of Greater Bangalore. These parks, which are not likely to consume much resources will have a variety of tree species to create awareness and provide education and information to the public. Plans are afoot to locate places in different zones that are suitable for the project. Each park is likely to have a theme. If one is on medicinal plants, the other could have a variety of hibiscus plants. Some places could be earmarked exclusively for medicinal plants.
Apart from this, the department is already involved in maintaining traffic islands and medians. Parks are being fenced to protect them from encroachers. Over 50,000 saplings are planted every year, but this year, as the average rainfall received was less, only 20,000 saplings were planted. Mahatma Gandhi Park, Coles Park, Bugle Rock Park, Lakshmidevi Park in Koramangala and the Silver Jubilee Park were among some of the parks that received attention. Providing benches, developing play areas for children and landscaping work were taken up in some of these parks.
There are also plans to cover up Government offices and buildings with tree paths.