Karnataka - Bangalore   

BMP aims at planting 20,000 saplings

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JUNE 11. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, which started a massive tree planting exercise on World Environment Day, expects to have 20,000 saplings planted across the city by the end of August.

Learning from its experience of large-scale uprootal of trees during rain and strong winds some weeks ago, the civic body seems to have given more thought to the choice of saplings to be planted now. Starting from the launch of the programme at Jayaprakash Narayan Park at Mathikere last week, the BMP's Horticulture Department has begun planting saplings that can withstand heavy winds or rain.

The saplings are now being planted at vacant spaces across the city, including roadsides. Many are to be planted to replace dead and precariously standing trees which need to be felled; others would fill the gaps left by saplings which failed to survive after they were planted the previous years. The tree species now being planted include Mahogany, Bauhinia, Pongamia, Jacaranda, Tabubia, Pelto Phoram, Neem, Giant Hibiscus, Silver Oak, Champak, Almond, and Ashoka, according to BMP officials. Some are ornamental trees, but considered sturdy enough to stand the vagaries of weather. Others grow fast and will provide the much needed shade during summer.

Though the civic body has been taking up tree planting almost every year, the survival rate of saplings, especially those planted on the roadsides, has not always been encouraging. In some cases, the saplings are vandalised; others that lack protective railings are eaten by cattle, and some others just lack adequate care and wither away. The BMP is now making efforts to see that most of the saplings are cared for till they grow to a safe stage. More attention is also to be given to trees which could be saved with timely action like providing supports or trimming of branches.

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