Regreening Bangalore

Regreening Bangalore
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: In a massive-tree planting programme, Eco-Watch, an organization promoting environment and sustainable development, has planted thousands of saplings in various parts of Bangalore and the state, involving the local community.
The organization aims to plant 1 million saplings and kicked off the programme on July 12 near Doddaballapur. A large number of flowering and medicinal varieties are being planted to establish micro-habitats, thereby creating favourable climatic conditions. The species planted include fruit-bearing plants such as neem, tamarind, mango and desi badami.
Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar of Eco-Watch said, “As we are are largely dependent on the monsoon, the planting operation has been staggered to some extent. The programme will go on till November.’’ According to Heblikar, the key objective of the project is to improve and enrich green cover, increase precipitation and enhance groundwater recharge.
PLACES COVERED BY THE INITIATIVE
All India Radio super power transmission station, Nelamangala-Doddaballapur Road: 2,500 saplings (ongoing) Hubli: 1,000 Sakalavara Village, Bannerghatta Road: 1,500 Kaaginele taluk, Haveri district: 6,000 (ongoing, waiting for rain) Bhooveerapura village, Haveri district: 500 Inner Circle Park, Whitefield, and surrounding villages: 1,500 VTU campus, Belgaum (Under the Gene-Bank project): 5,000 AIR campus, Avalahalli, Hoskote Road: 1,800 Army-MEG Unit, Ulsoor: 2,000 Army Unit, Banaswad: 2,000 (in progress)