BBMP to plant 10 lakh saplings, and hope for the best

It is yet to put in place a system to ensure they are taken care of

The BBMP was supposed to form two committees to decide species to be planted, the location and their upkeep.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has embarked on an ambitious drive to plant 10 lakh saplings even though it has no robust system to ensure they are taken care of. The civic body is yet to set up either greening committees or appoint tree wardens, both conditions mandated by the High Court of Karnataka to increase the green cover of the city.

In 2014, during the hearing of a PIL by Environment Support Group (ESG) on road widening, the BBMP had submitted an undertaking to the court to form two committees comprising green activists and experts to guide the greening of the city. The two committees were supposed to work with ward committees to decide on the tree species to be planted, the location and upkeep for the next three years. This year’s BBMP budget had a scheme to appoint tree wardens to maintain the saplings.

But these systems are yet to be put in place. Hence, green activists are sceptical about Vanamahotsava — the BBMP’s drive to plant 10 lakh saplings. As part of the drive, the palike will plant one lakh saplings and distribute nine lakh among citizens.

A total of 4.5 lakh saplings are ready in six nurseries across the city.

The civic body has already received requests for 2.25 lakh saplings through its Green App and has begun supplying the same.

However, BBMP is yet to begin planting saplings.

Leo Saldanha of ESG said formation of greening committees is the need of the hour. “The civic body is giving saplings to whoever places an order on the app, but has no system to maintain these saplings,” he said. They need to be looked after for at least three years. “The concept of tree wardens is not a new one. I was a tree warden in 1984. I have planted and maintained many trees in Banashankari,” he said.

Mayor G. Padmavathi told The Hindu, “We are working on the formation of ward committees, which is being met with stiff resistance from councillors. There is opposition to appointment of tree wardens too. However, we will appoint them after all ward committees are formed.” She conceded that tree wardens should have been appointed before the greening drive began.