Tree parks planned in city

Tree parks planned in city
The BBMP and BDA have plans to create tree parks in and around the city in a bid to green and clean the environment, writes Leena Mudbidri


The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) have drawn up the blueprint for large tree parks and theme parks within the city and around, in a positive move to trap polluting agents and increase oxygen levels in the environment.
Tree groves
"All open spaces will be converted into tree parks and this will improve the environment considerably," says Krishna Udapudi, Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP. "Since there is no scientific mechanism in place to decrease the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere around the city, having large tree parks with more than 3,000 trees in one place can increase oxygen levels and make a healthy difference to the citizens. Presently, 72 open spaces within new zones of BBMP limits have been identified for dedicated tree groves. Large tree parks have been planned in the five zones of Mahadevapura, Byatarayanapura, Dasarahalli, Bommanahalli and Rajarajeshwari Nagar," he says.
The BDA too has floated a plan to compulsorily have dedicated tree parks within all the layouts, both, existing and future ones coming up. Recently B Venkatesh, Deputy Conservator of Forests, BDA, had mentioned that existing layouts like Anjanapura, HSR Layout, Banashankari 6th stage and Visvesvaraya Layout will be refurbished to include tree parks. Existing parks which have either degenerated into dry fields or a play area for children will be spruced up into tree parks.
According to the new Comprehensive Development Plan, Master Plan 2015, it will be made compulsory for all BDA plots to have separate green spaces. Each 40x60 plot should have one tree, while the larger ones should have two trees each.
"There will be different variety of trees and they will be specific to this region and climate," says Udapudi. "We plan to have both floral and evergreen trees in these tree groves such as gulmohar, pongamia, eucalyptus, bougainvillea clusters and other colourful flower-bearing types," he adds.
Vermicompost and
nurseries
The BBMP plans on having a vermicompost pit within the tree parks. "It's an excellent idea to make use of the fallen twigs and dried leaves by creating manure right there in the park premises," he says. Plans are also on the anvil to set up nurseries within these tree parks so that the residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods could buy saplings directly from here.
Butterfly parks
Plans are afoot to have a dedicated Butterfly Park within the BBMP limits along the lines of the one at Almatti, below the dam. "There is one such park at Bannerghatta which is maintained by the Forest and Wildlife Department and is a research-oriented one of international standards," informs Udapudi.
"A Butterfly Park will be designed to have a variety of flowering plants like Lantenna and other fruit-bearing plants like the lemon. These plants will attract adult butterflies to feed on the pollen and breed within the park area," informs Udapudi. Adult butterflies feed on Lantenna plants while the larvae find their food in the lemon tree and curry leaves. "A lot of research and observation goes into the planning of the Butterfly Park," he adds.
Herbal Garden
As part of the theme park concept, herbal gardens too are on the anvil. "We have planned to have 45 varieties of medicinal plants initially," he says.
Tips to protect trees
Trees are just as important as buildings. It is important to protect trees and in order to protect our environment
There should be adequate space between the building and the trees. The depth of the foundation too is important Shallow or light structures are affected by tree root growth. These can be managed by special protection trenches provided around the building intended to isolate the structure and vegetation.
Drooping branches should be pruned and not allowed to grow in a haphazard manner
Fast growing trees, or trees with dominant surface roots must be grown sufficiently away from the building.
Only after allowing a sufficient time lag subsequent to felling of trees, should new trees be planted