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Photo: Murali Kumar k.

GREEN THUMB Prasad: ‘Modernisation has damaged most of the gardens and lakes’

As the spectre of climate change looms ahead and threatens to change the way of life across the planet, we need people who can move beyond tame armchair politics and try to make a difference. Prasad, the managing horticulture director of Taj Westend is a man with a mission. He took over the management of the lush green garden land in the hotel from his father nearly 20 years ago.

The Taj Westend boasts of nearly 18 acres of land where a variety of plants, including old trees are preserved. Much of the credit for the gardens in the Taj complex goes to the hard work put in by Prasad’s father way back in the 1970s. He rues: “When I came to Bangalore 19 years ago, it was a beautiful little town, with nice weather and people. It has changed a lot over the years. Many of the gardens and lakes have disappeared.” Prasad, a graduate of horticulture sciences, is also involved in many schemes floated by the government to retain gardens and preserve Bangalore’s heritage.

At the Taj itself, the garden has been divided into different sections, each encompassing a wide range of plants and trees, including many rain trees, and mango trees over a century old. Prasad boasts that the gardens have nearly 500 species of flora and fauna, including nearly 100 trees and numerous varieties of shrubs and grasses. Through a series of initiatives, Prasad has also managed to expand a terrace garden on a section of the first floor of the complex. The view from this point is truly breathtaking and one could believe that you are in midst of an idyllic resort, instead of a bustling city. Prasad smiles: “The temperature in many sections of the garden is lesser than the rest of the city, thanks to the green cover.”

The gardens, painstakingly maintained by Prasad and his staff are also home to many rare bird species. “Many birds like kites, eagles, pigeons and mynahs are found in the gardens. We have also created many small pools in the gardens, which houses fish like the guppies etc.”

Don’t eucalyptus trees affect the water table? “Actually, these trees are not supposed to be grown in the tropics. They were planted in marshlands in parts of Australia to help dry them. Though Eucalyptus trees are grown in these gardens also, we take certain steps to ensure that other trees and plants are not affected.”

“Like much of the Deccan, most of this region was dry and barren. Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan were responsible for laying down trees and the gardens. Modernisation has damaged most of the gardens and lakes,” says Prasad, invoking a bit of history.

“The Metro project is a prime example. Unlike Delhi, no steps had initially been taken here to ensure that trees could be transplanted. But now, some measures are being undertaken by the government to ensure that green cover is not lost. Though the Metro project is important, it must not be completed by depleting the green cover,” says Prasad who’s also serving in an advisory position on the project.

His love for gardens, greenery and all forms of flora and fauna is visible in the fondness with which he describes each section to the layman. He seems to truly love and enjoy every moment of his job.

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