‘Green Bangalore' gets priority

‘Green Bangalore' gets priority

Special Correspondent
5 lakh saplings to be planted in the State capital before the onset of monsoon
It is expected to compensate for the felling of trees

Thrust on rainwater harvesting: Yeddyurappa

Bangalore: The State Government has decided to launch “Green Bangalore” project by planting about five lakh saplings this year.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa told presspersons here on Saturday that the project, aimed at enhancing greenery in the city, would be taken up before the onset of monsoon.

All agencies, including the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), would be involved in it, he said. Several trees had been felled on account of road-widening work and the metro rail project, he said and sought the cooperation of the public in plantation of saplings in the city.

The Government had also decided to rejuvenate and develop all the existing tanks in the city and officials had been directed to clear encroachments around tanks.

The civic agencies had been told to adopt rainwater harvesting to increase groundwater level in the city. The BBMP had been asked to form a squad to address rain-related problems.

Houses almost ready

Referring to rehabilitation work and construction of houses in flood-affected north Karnataka, Mr. Yeddyurappa said work on 60 per cent of the houses would be completed by May end.

Deputy commissioners had been instructed to speed up work providing drinking water, electricity and other amenities in colonies, he said.