Trees

Its time again to reconnect with nature, and enjoy the flora and fauna around Bannerghatta.This month's Third Sunday trail will be on 20th of December 2009.Place : Ragihalli Village TankTime : 6.00 AMMeeting place : Govt Primary School, RagihalliGoogle Map Coordinates : 12.739328, 77.574592Group Leader : Mahesh ChandComfortable clothing,good walking shoes, cap, water bottle,binoculars ( if you have them!), a camera ( if you like to shoot)...these are what you need to join the trail. This outing is free and open to anyone who can walk the trail of around four to five hours . We recommend car-pooling between participants.…

Many Bangaloreans are concerned about the reducing green cover in the city. What can you do? Plant trees of course! Here is how to go about planting trees.How do I go about it?Preparation Study: The proposed area should be examined beforehand to understand layout, soil, inhabitants and so on. Educate the local people nearby about the planting need, process, schedule and care. Obtain approvals, if necessary. Choose the number, type and age of the saplings and separate them on the planting day and ensure sufficient watering facilities.Spacing: Before planting consider the space above and below the ground. Do not place…

This Sunday, Hasiru Santhe, a tree mela at Sankey Tank, was organised for the first time by BBMP. With plant and tree saplings selling at Rs 2, it got local residents and morning walkers around the area interested. Not withstanding the noisy announcements by BBMP staff and the disorganised billing system, the response was overwhelming from  thousands of visitors.The event took place at a time when many Bangaloreans are concerned about the reducing tree cover in the city. At the same time, government bodies and citizens are actively engaged in planting more trees too.Government agencies do their bitWithin the city…

On occasions, trees are felled to facilitate road widening or if there in the way of infrastructure projects. Very often, trees are cut illegally and without permission.So when can trees be cut?If a tree is part of a private property and belongs to a select species, it can be felled, according to the Karnataka Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act, 1987.For trees on public or private property, it is necessary to obtain written permission from the concerned Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Tree Officer, Bangalore Urban Division. (Ph: 23344686, 23343464).In addition, two tree saplings must be planted before cutting the tree,…

We live in times of massive traffic pileups on our roads and the stress that comes from simply watching long lines of vehicles stopped at intersections. With the ever increasing pressure on local authorities to relieve congestion, how did it come to pass that the BBMP-proposed link road connecting the Yeshwanthpur-Yelahanka artery to NH 7 (Bellary Road) resulted in a major litigation in the High Court?Over 4 kms of the proposed link road is to be laid through forestland inside the University of Agricultural Sciences’ GKVK campus in northern Bengaluru. The forestland itself was granted to the university by an…

On October 15th evening, residents of HRBR Layout were shocked to see trees being cut by BBMP workers in yet another park developed by BBMP's Horticulture Department. These were fully grown trees and the park is located at 9th G Main Road, HRBR Layout, 1st block in Kalyannagar (Ward 88).On enquiry, we were told that the workers have the permission from Range Officer of BBMP. When we asked them to show the permission they did not show this, telling us that it is with one Purushotam, who was not there. The reason they gave for the cutting the trees was…

The country's first Butterfly Park as seen from the inside at Bannerghatta. Shown here is a conservatory which recreates a beautiful natural habitat for the butterflies. A good family visit. ⊕

As part of the controversial project to lay a 9.2 kms road through the Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK) of the University of Agricultural Sciences’ forestland, BBMP has cut down 680 trees, some of which were part of the university’s germplasm collections according to a survey undertaken by the Conservator of Forests, Bangalore Urban Circle. Germplasm collections are wild varieties of various crops that are collected and planted in different parts of the GKVK campus. The wild varieties are then crossed with conventional ones to create a hybrid. Sources within the university as well as the Forest Department have confirmed…

'Save GKVK' Campaign - Community ProtestDate: 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Sunday, October 11, 2009Venue: GKVK Main Gate on Bellary RoadProgram: Protest against proposed 80 feet link road through GKVK campusIssueProposed construction of a major 80 feet link road through GKVK campus entailing cutting of 3000 trees and destruction of several research plotsCurrent StatusGKVK has transferred the land to BBMP. BBMP has felled hundreds of trees and has initiated civil works. Court has issued stay order on further felling of trees. Forest department has filed a FIR and is investigating the issue. However, BBMP is still planning to carry on…

The attempts to construct a link road through the University of Agricultural Sciences' Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK) campus has stirred up a fierce battle, between BBMP and a motley group of locals, environmentalists and former Vice Chancellors of the University of Agricultural Sciences. In June 2007, BBMP proposed a 9 km long (100 feet in width) road, to connect the Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka expressway to Bellary Road (NH 7). The link road will begin at the main entrance to the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) at Bellary Road, cut through prime forestland and end at the Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka Expressway. In June 2007,…