One, two, tree!

One, two, tree!
Author: Chetan R Date: 28 May 2008

BBMP, horticulture dept will add greenery along route to new airport




MOVED: This tree in Nagarbhavi will be transplanted at the Jnana Bharati campus Pic/Satish Badiger
The road to the Bengaluru International Airport is all set to wear a green look thanks to the joint initiative of BBMP and the department of horticulture.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the horticulture department have come together to plant trees on this road. "

The plan proposed by BBMP commissioner Subramanaya includes the construction of parks in open areas along the route.

Green belt

“The objective is to create a green belt along the Bangalore-Devanahalli stretch,” said Shekar,
conservator of forests, BBMP. “Initially 2,000 saplings will be planted up to Yelahanka,” he added.

He said the project would be executed as soon as road expansion work on the stretch was completed.

According to the plan, there will be a plant at every five metres on either side of the road till Devanahalli.

Flowering trees such as tabubia rosea and lager stromia will add beauty to the road.

BBMP will outsource the care of the plants, but will supply water for the saplings and trees.

“Talks with NGOs are on and a decision will be taken on May 30,” said Shekar.

Mega project

While BBMP staff will take charge of the tree transplantation drive, the horticulture department will build parks in open places.

The planting will first take place on the Veterinary College campus.

“The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 20 lakh. That includes the cost for planting and maintenance of 8,000 plants,” said Shekar.

“We have planned to plant 2,00,000 plants by next year in the city, including along this stretch,” he said.
Five BBMP nurseries will supply the plants. The main supplier of saplings for the Bangalore-Devanahalli stretch will be the nursery in Yelahanka.

“This initiative is not only to enhance the beauty of the city, but also to ensure an ecological balance,” said environmentalist Yellappa Reddy.

Transplantation drive today

In a move to increase the city’s green cover, the BBMP is on a drive to promote tree transplantation. The civic body is conducting a tree transplantation programme on the Jnana Bharati campus today.

During the day-long programme, eight to ten trees, each costing around Rs 10,000, will be transplated according to H K Jagdish, assistant conservator of forests, BBMP.

Flowering trees such as Tabubia rosea and Lager stromia trees will also be included during the transplantation.

The experiment will be carried out across the city, including the Devanahalli-Bangalore stretch, said Shekar, conservator of forests, BBMP.