Pramesh S Jain
*Minister appeals to RWAs and Civic organisation join hands with GBA on this green initiative.
*The plantation drive will happen through the PPPPP – Public-Private Planting Programme.
*40,000 Saplings to be Distributed to Citizens.
Tree plantation should not remain a mere paper exercise.Trees must actually be planted, nurtured and protected to ensure they grow successfully,Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed officials.
Chairing a meeting today on the tree plantation programme undertaken by the GBA Forest Division,the Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said that this year the Corporation has planned to plant 64,000 saplings and distribute 40,000 saplings to citizens.
He instructed officials to complete all necessary preparations to implement the programme effectively.
He observed that there has been inadequate documentation and monitoring of trees planted in previous years.Steps must be taken to ensure that such lapses are not repeated.
Planting and maintaining a large number of trees across the city will not only help reduce temperatures and air pollution but also enhance Bengaluru’s environment and overall aesthetics.
In this regard,he said he has directed officials to undertake a plantation campaign with active public participation through the Public-Private Planting Programme (PPPPP).
The Minister said that tree plantation is essential for the survival and future of Bengaluru.The programme must go beyond paperwork and be implemented in the true spirit.
He also directed that only high-quality saplings would be planted this year,ruling out the use of poor-quality or undersized plants.Species such as Mahogany,Tabebuia Rosea,Honge (Indian Beech),Neem and Jamun will be planted.
In a directive to the officials,Minister said tree plantation should not remain a mere paper exercise.Trees must actually be planted,nurtured and protected to ensure they grow successfully.
Priority this year will be given to planting trees in residential layouts with public participation.Once the requirements of residential areas are met,the remaining saplings will be planted in public spaces,along roadsides,around lakes and in parks. Officials have been instructed to plant six-foot-tall saplings in properly prepared pits,maintaining a spacing of 12 feet between trees,as per prescribed norms.
He said that involving citizens in the plantation drive would significantly improve the survival and maintenance of the trees.
*₹9.64 Crore Allocated for Tree Plantation:
The Corporation has set a target of planting 64,000 saplings during the current financial year.A total of ₹9.64 crore has been earmarked in the budgets of the five City Corporations,covering plantation as well as three years of maintenance.Payments will be released based on the successful planting and upkeep of the saplings.
*RWAs an apply online:
Residents, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and citizens who have space to plant a minimum of 30 saplings in their neighbourhoods may submit applications by August 10 through the Corporation’s website https://gbatreeplantation.com/ or via email at dcfgba26@gmail.com.
Based on the applications received,Forest Department officials will inspect the locations,and where suitable,the Corporation will undertake the plantation.
*Month-long “Bengaluru Green City Campaign”:
A month-long”Bengaluru Green City Campaign”will be held across the city from August 15 to September 15.
Officials have been instructed to expedite the tender process in all City Corporations to ensure timely implementation of the programme.
*Tracking System for Every Sapling:
A tracking system will be introduced for every sapling planted during the current financial year.Details of the location and number of trees planted across the city, along with their geo-location,will be made available on the Corporation’s website, enabling citizens to monitor the programme.
*40,000 Saplings to be Distributed to Citizens:
In addition to planting 64,000 saplings,the Corporation has earmarked 40,000 saplings for distribution to citizens upon request.
Saplings will be distributed based on the number of applications received,while any remaining saplings will be planted and maintained in public spaces.
*Ten Saplings for Every Tree Felled:
Before any tree is felled for development works undertaken by the Corporation,Metro or any other government department,the concerned agency must pay the Forest Department the cost of planting ten saplings for every tree removed.These compensatory plantations have also been included in this year’s overall plantation target.
The meeting was attended by Chief Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao,Special Commissioner,Sushma Godbole,Commissioners,Pommal Sunil Kumar and G. Jagadish,Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited CEO,Karigowda,Additional Commissioners,Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar and Naveen Kumar Raju,Deputy Conservator of Forests Sudarshan,and officials from various departments.
