Tree parks will create five wooded neighbourhoods in Bangalore

Following the assurance by forest minister to increase green cover in the state, the forest department has prepared a conceptual plan to create tree parks in the city.

These arboretums will be set up on the lines of Cubbon Park in Challahalli, Gunjurpalya, Gulakamallai, Thurahalli and Muthyalamadu-Mahanthalingapura. But they would not have ornamental plants or lawns.

The lands for these facilities have been identified after a detailed three-month survey undertaken with the aid of Google maps. The presentation report, a copy of which is with DNA, has also been submitted to the government for approval.

The department will plant native tree species like Ala, Bevu, Neem, Basri, Hunse, Sisso, Honge, Mavu, Nirale, Tapsi, Ficus, and Kamara. The saplings will be procured from the forest department nurseries.

Apart from the plantation, walking and jogging tracks will also be provided for visitors. Water bodies will be created to recharge the ground water table and maintain ecological balance. Some of the identified places have a rocky terrain which will  be included in the greening project.

The Challahalli range on survey numbers 75 and 76 is spread across 298 acres and is located in Bangalore north at Hesaraghatta hobli, 30 km from the city centre. It is a dry deciduous forest.

Gunjurpalya, located in KR Puram range on survey numbers 103, 104, 108, 109, 110 and 111 of Gunjur village and survey numbers 52 and 53 of Panathur village, is spread across 165.29 acres. It is located in Bangalore east in Varthur hobli. Muthyalamadu-Mahanthalingapura is located in Anekal hobli on survey numbers 47 and 48.

Spread across 785 acres, it is in Mahanthalingapura village in Jigani hobli. Here, the department also aims to improve the corridor connecting the Bannerghatta forest which will ensure wildlife movement and reduce man-animal conflict.

Gulakamallai located in Kaggalipura range is in survey numbers 35 and 36. Located in Gulakamalli village in Uttarahali hobli, it is spread across 503 acres. Here too, the department aims to improve the corridor and add land to the Kagalipura forest cover, where most part of it is encroached.

Thurahalli located in survey numbers 41 and 42  is spread across 94.08 acres. It is in Thurahalli and Uttarahalli Manavarathe Kaval villages in Uttarahalli hoblis in Bangalore south taluk. With the inclusion of this, the forest cover of Thurahalli reserve forest will increase and give more cover for wildlife movement.

A senior forest department official, on condition of anonymity, said this is a preliminary plan and the minister has to approve it after a series of meetings. A detailed meeting in this regard will be held with the revenue department as most of the land belongs to them and the rest being grazing land.

Some of the land is also under litigation. So legalities need to be cleared. The official added that the idea is to change the existing presence of monoculture and exotic species to native indigenous species. The exotic species will slowly be phased out and awareness will be created among citizens.

“While we will do the plantation, the land will remain with the revenue department. The stake holders, including villages, locals, forest department, revenue department, and resident welfare associations, will maintain it. A entry fee will be levied for the tree park, as only when a value is attached, there will be respect to the property.  A budget of Rs12 crore has been marked for the creation of these parks, and plantations are likely to begin with the onset of monsoon, this year.