Podcast: Why we need to plant more native tree species in Bengaluru

by May 20, 2020 Environment
Bengaluru has lost much of its natural vegetation to urbanisation. Majority of trees that do remain, cannot protect the city from heat island effects or climate change.

Look at Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park, and it’s easy to see why Bengaluru once claimed the title of ‘Garden City’. Rapid, unplanned urbanisation has drastically reduced the city’s green cover. Raj Bhagat, who works at the World Research Institute office here in Bengaluru, explains the history of the city’s loss of natural vegetation as seen through data.

Though Bengaluru still has several thousands of trees, these are mostly alien species. Natural vegetation, which is critical in terms of transpiration cycles, weather patterns, etc is completely absent here except for some sections of protected forests, says Raj.

Several organisations like SayTrees and Afforest have been trying to re-introduce natural vegetation in the city through Miyawaki plantation method. And more citizens are becoming part of such initiatives.

We also have retired IFS officer S G Neginhal, a pioneer of urban forestry, speaking about his experiences planting trees for four decades in Bengaluru and on why trees are now more important than ever for the city.

Find the full podcast series ‘Lessons from Bengaluru’ here.

Find us on SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates. 

Sections:

About Grace Madigan

Grace Madigan was an intern from Seattle, Washington. You can follow her @grace_madigan19.
Read more by Grace Madigan

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Vote for clean air, water security and nature conservation: Environment and civil society groups

by April 19, 2024 Environment
The youth of the country will bear the brunt of climate change impact in the absence of government action, say voluntary groups.

The country is going to the polls in one of the most keenly watched elections of all time, and a collective of 70 environment and civil society organisations have appealed to voters to assess the threat to the environment and ecology when they cast their votes in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. Here is what the organisations have said in a joint statement: As Indians prepare to vote in the Lok Sabha elections this year, it is very important to think of the future of our democracy, especially the youth and their right to clean air and water security in…

Continue reading

Similar Story

Sanjay Van saga: Forest or park, what does Delhi need?

by April 19, 2024 Environment
Rich in biodiversity, Sanjay Van in Delhi is a notified reserved forest. Here's why environmentalists fear it may soon be a thing of the past.

The Delhi Forest Department has officially notified the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) about reported tree cutting activities at Sanjay Van. The forest department's south division has verified the claim, citing an infringement of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA) 1994, due to the unauthorised felling of trees in Sanjay Van, Mehrauli, New Delhi. According to officials, the alleged incident came to light through the vigilance of environmental activists. The accusations stemmed from a volunteer organisation called "There is No Earth B," which conducts regular cleanup campaigns at Sanjay Van. With a volunteer base exceeding 1,500 individuals, the group engages…

Continue reading