Lake upkeep, urban forestry get a big push

Lake upkeep, urban forestry get a big push
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Over 17 lakes that the Lake Development Authority (LDA) has handed over to the BBMP will be protected by fencing and maintenance works like cleaning and de-weeding, at a cost of Rs 5 crore. A detailed report has also been prepared for funding under JNNURM.
Under its water management initiatives, BBMP will also take up rainwater harvesting in a big way at all its parks, nurseries and buildings with the intention of conserving and recharging ground water. The BBMP head office will have an STP to recycle waste and reuse it in garden maintenance.
The city will have more green cover too. In an afforestation drive, BBMP has proposed to plant two lakh trees, apart from large-scale planting drives along storm water drains, lake shore areas and open spaces like buffers for solid waste collection areas. In further initiatives to increase green cover, tree pattas will be issued to RWS or adjacent schools to take up planting of saplings. The BBMP has proposed to introduce green police and ‘parisara mitra’ in each ward from among students and volunteers to protect the flora.
Students of BBMP schools will be taken out on field trips to parks and mini forests so that they can understanding nature better. Tree parks will be created by planting indigenous species that require less water. This apart, all trees will be labelled to indicate name of species, characteristics and usage for the benefit of researchers and students. Five thousand seedlings each of Pongamia and Jatropa will be planted in buffer areas of land fill sites and will be eligible for carbon credits.
Five new zones of BBMP will get one nursery each and 800 trees will be planted along Bellary Road after road widening is completed.
The BBMP plans to develop 300 parks next year, apart from maintaining the existing 538 parks in the city. Zonal flower shows are also being mooted.
An allocation of Rs 87 crore has been made in the budget for urban forestry, horticulture and environment management.