Making Bangalore green again

Making Bangalore green again

Staff Reporter



Going green: Neil Cox, executive vice-president, Qwest Corporation (left) and ornithologist Zafar Futehally (third from left) at the tree-planting drive in Bangalore.

Bangalore: In tune with their commitment to the cause of eco-preservation, Qwest Telecom Software (P) Ltd., initiated a tree plantation drive on Tuesday. With the motto “I stand for Green”, Qwest is on a mission to revive Bangalore’s Garden City status.

The drive was inaugurated by ornithologist Zafar Futehally, founder trustee, Bangalore Environment Trust (BET); Neil Cox, executive vice-president of Qwest Corporation; Harsch Bhatnagar, vice-president of Qwest (IT); and Vivek Nagarkatti, president and managing director, HP, who planted saplings.

Employees of Qwest planted about 100 trees on the service lanes of the Outer Ring Road, near the Qwest office. Starting from digging pits, planting saplings and putting up tree guards, Qwest employees did it all. They also raised funds for the purchase and installation of the tree guards. They will also take on the responsibility of watering the plants and pruning as well as protecting them. Most importantly, they will adopt the plants to ensure sustained growth, a press release said.

Qwest employees first contacted the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to get involved with the drive. Through BET, they got in touch with Capt. Subbarao Prabhala and Vijay Thiruvady, who gave them advice. Yellappa Reddy, former Secretary, Department of Environment and Forests, advised them on the selection of tree species. In consultation with SayTrees.com, Qwest volunteers brought out a pamphlet on maintaining trees. They also sought the assistance of other organisations including ATree and United Way of Bengaluru.