As the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launches its annual tree plantation drive today, the initiative has already encountered resistance from local residents and lake groups. The week-long campaign, targeting the plantation of nearly 20,000 saplings across 40 lakes in five city zones—Yelahanka, Mahadevapura, Bommanahalli, RR Nagar, and Dasarahalli—has drawn criticism for its apparent lack of planning and stakeholder consultation.
Local activists and residents have raised several issues, including the selection of lakes for plantation. For example, in the Mahadevapura zone, the densely planted Seegehalli Lake has been earmarked for an additional 100 saplings, despite limited space. Similarly, Bhatarahalli Lake is slated to receive 500 saplings, but concerns about inadequate fencing and potential cattle interference from a nearby village have been voiced. Critics argue that these issues could jeopardise the survival of the new plants. Additionally, Chikkabasavanapura Lake has been listed without proper consideration of its capacity to support more trees.
A prominent lake activist highlighted the lack of transparency in BBMP’s decision-making process, stating that the Kere Mitra initiative, introduced last year, has failed to bridge the gap between the civic body and the local community. The activist criticised the non-inclusive nature of the current plantation programme, emphasising the need for comprehensive consultations with local groups, especially for an initiative of this scale involving 20,000 saplings. The Yelahanka zone presents a contrasting scenario, where some well-maintained lakes, like Jakkur Lake, are prioritised over neglected water bodies such as Avalahalli and Krishnasagar. This oversight, according to the founder of Green Circle, a citizens’ group dedicated to the development of Avalahalli Lake, could have been avoided with better communication and planning.
Environmental experts have also expressed concerns about the unscientific approach to past plantation drives, which often disregarded the existing biodiversity of the areas. With Bengaluru’s summers becoming increasingly harsh, there is a call for BBMP to update its sapling maintenance guidelines to ensure better survival rates. An official from ActionAid Association suggested that Bengaluru’s Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) should conduct a comprehensive survey to align the nursery’s production with the actual biodiversity needs. In response to these concerns, the BBMP’s Conservator of Forests announced that the programme aims to enhance local biodiversity. While the plantation drive’s inauguration will be largely symbolic, involving the ceremonial planting of a few saplings by Range Forest Officers, the official assured that extensive public consultations with locals and lake groups would follow. These sessions are expected to address issues such as bund damage, the risks of mono-plantation, and the need for creating a 500-metre green belt around water bodies, extending to nearby empty spaces and streets. The outcome of this plantation initiative could significantly impact Bengaluru’s environmental landscape, underscoring the importance of thoughtful planning and inclusive dialogue in urban green initiatives.
