For a nondescript layout in North Bengaluru to get lost amidst swanky buildings and posh neighbourhoods is entirely possible but then Byraveshwara Layout has a few things which commands attention.
It is arguably the only layout which has all its 22 streets named after a tree – Elanji Street, Shankhpushpa Street, Brahma Mala Street and so on. But that is not what makes it difficult. What makes it a big deal is that all these trees have been planted by the residents themselves.
There is greenery all around but it wasn't always so. In 2002, when people like artist C.F.John shifted to the locality, all it had was vacant plots and land devoid of greenery. Mobilised by John, in 2007, a handful of people, who had come to live there, started to plant saplings in the locality. Today, they have grown into trees that line the sides of every street. "Not every sapling survived but when one died we planted another one. Over the last 10 years, we came to plant about 800 saplings," recalls John, a major force in the RWA. Considering it is not a gated community but an open one with a curious mix of people as residents, it was not easy to get people to agree to the idea to begin with. “There were times when two streets wanted the same name. Some people were totally opposed to the idea because they thought we had vested interests,” says the artist-resident, co-founder of the Byraveshwara Layout welfare Association.
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The residents consulted the DFO and followed the required procedure to plant trees like honge, ilanji, jamun, mango and kanikonna. “We wanted to do things in accordance with law and order and didn't want the trees to be axed later. We even consulted the famous bureaucrat Yellappa Reddy, who is well-versed in the subject, about the variety and type of trees to grow,” adds John. Today more than 45 varieties of trees can be found in the area.
More greenery means more bees and butterflies. The RWA members say that they see not only more birds but different kinds of birds, some of them rare, come to their locality.
"A tree is even dedicated to one of the BBMP officials, Gundappa Shetty, a very dedicated officer who was accessible to us any time of the day and night. During rains, our layout would get flooded and he would rush to the spot," says Murali H M, President, RWA. Starting with trees, the RWA got involved in other developmental works like sanitation, garbage disposal, electricity over the years. And here also, they opted for a different approach.
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“We decided, we won't complain about non-performing officials in the department but work with them. Initially, we found it difficult but once when they started coming here to address our problems, we looked at them as other human beings who has limitations too. It meant waiting a little longer but with an assurance that our work will get done. Now, they tell us frankly if a work needs to be done is within their limits, if not they tell us to approach the higher-ups but it is not a complaint,” explains John.
The RWA writes letters of appreciation to the officials and sends it to their concerned ministries and departments. Next on their agenda is documenting the bio-diversity in their area so that the information can come in handy. Also, the RWA is working towards developing a park in the neighbourhood. “We are collecting documents bearing sanction for it to be converted into a park. But then things didn’t move forward. We want to push it now,” reveals Murali.
This column features those who make a difference