Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will launch a month-long plantation drive from Aug 15, with plans to plant 64,000 saplings across the city’s five municipal corporations.Announcing Bengaluru Hasirooru Green City campaign as a public-private planting programme, Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the initiative aims at increasing the city’s green cover amid concerns over deteriorating air quality. Over 9.6 crore has been earmarked in the budgets of the five corporations for the programme.The minister said the number of trees planted in the city over the past two decades did not match the figures reflected in GBA’s tree census, highlighting the need for systematic plantation and monitoring.GBA has invited applications from resident welfare associations (RWAs) to participate in the drive. RWAs with sufficient space to accommodate at least 30 saplings, with spacing of 12 feet between trees, can register through GBA’s plantation portal or by email. Applications will be accepted till Aug 10.The remaining saplings will be planted on lake premises, along roads and in other public spaces. The plantation work will be taken up through contractors following a tendering process.Species including mahogany, Tabebuia rosea, honge (Indian beech), neem and jamun have been shortlisted for the drive. GBA is also considering including fruit-bearing speciesGBA seeks land for vehicles parked near police stationsMany of the vehicles parked near police stations and on footpaths are involved in police cases, with around 80% linked to serious offences and the remaining 20% to minor cases, the minister said. “Since the vehicles cannot be removed until cases are concluded and courts pass final orders, they continue to occupy public spaces,” he added.The minister said he discussed the issue with police and revenue departments and requested the latter to allot land for each DCP (traffic) in the city for the vehicles to be shifted.
