Techies to gift Bangalore eco park

Techies to gift Bangalore eco park
By: Chetan R Date: 2009-11-19 Place: Bangalore




Software professionals from over 10 companies look to spread the green message in a city that is fast turning its back on eco conservation

THE nature lovers among techies are all set to gift the city a first-of-its-kind eco park.

After campaigns such as the one called Save Green in the past, the species that is usually to be found in tech parks is looking to show how even barren land can be transformed into a thriving green expanse.

Led by Samraksha, a group of software professionals working in Wipro, the initiative to create the eco park will spread the green message in a city fast turning its back on preservation of the ecosystem. "We are planning the park in Kanakapura Road area," said Stephen Anthony, an engineer from Wipro. "The project will be the first one of its kind and we are only waiting for permission from the forest department for it."


Green heart: Bangalore is often referred to as the Garden City, but these gardens are fast disappearing. NGOs have tried to protect the city's green lungs, such as Cubbon Park.


Multiple aims

Techies from over 10 companies, including Wipro and Nokia, who have already championed campaigns and drives like the Seed Ball campaign, the Save Green campaign and the Recycle Plastic Drive in the past are behind the latest initiative.

Techies push green button

Besides planting saplings on barren land, the techies also plan to create awareness on issues such as waste recycling and use of renewable energy through campaigns at the park.

The eco park will come up along the Kanakapura Road, where almost 14 acres of barren land has been chosen for the make-it-green initiative.

"We have chosen this particular stretch of land to convey the message that any place can be greened if you make up your mind to do so," said Stephen.


IT'S THEIR 'GREENFIELD' PROJECT: Members of the Samraksha group.


Unique technique

NGOs which have closely worked with Samraksha in the past have decided to help the techies this time as well. They also plan similar parks in other parts of the city.

"We will certainly offer our services. We are advising them to go for a unique method of watering saplings through soil pots. Pots with small holes kept inside soil beside a sapling will support it for nearly seven months," said B N Shivshankar, founder of Mukthidhama, a trust working for a greener Bangalore.

Awaiting final nod

The techies can start work on the eco park only after the forest department approves it.

"We are in talks with the officials and their final say is awaited," said Anthony.

NGOs have also volunteered to offer land for the park in case of any delay concerning the chosen piece of land.
"We will support the initiative by starting similar small parks at other places. We have already marked certain areas along the Mysore Road," said Shivshankar.

Some experts said while such intitiatives were welcome, it was important to stop the damage being inflicted on existing greenery in and around the city.

"Such initiatives help, but can never replace the greenery already lost," said Leo Saldanha, well known environmentalist. "Still, minimising our needs, besides such initiatives, can control the damage."