Bengaluru to plant 64000 saplings under new Hasirooru green initiative

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced on Monday that a massive sapling plantation drive named 'Bengaluru Hasirooru' will be launched across Bengaluru starting August 15 to increase the city's green cover.

The initiative aims to plant 64,000 saplings across the city this year. In addition, 40,000 saplings will be distributed to members of the public who wish to undertake their own plantation drives. Corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be responsible for maintaining the saplings for four years.

To fund the initiative, the GBA corporations have collectively earmarked ₹9.64 crore in their budgets, covering both the initial plantation and the four years of maintenance.

Minister Gowda stated that priority will be given to planting trees in residential layouts with public participation. Once the requirements of residential areas are met, the remaining saplings will be planted in public spaces, along roadsides, around lakes, and in parks. Officials have been instructed to plant six-foot-tall saplings in pits in accordance with prescribed norms.

To address past allegations of plantation drives remaining only on paper, the government is introducing the 'Private-Public-Planting Programme' to improve accountability. Under this model, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are being encouraged to participate.

Both registered and unregistered RWAs in Bengaluru can submit proposals if they have space to plant at least 30 saplings in their neighbourhood, maintaining a minimum distance of 12 feet between each tree. Interested RWAs must submit their proposals by August 10 through the Forest Department's website or by emailing [email protected].

The plantation drive is scheduled to continue for a month. Minister Gowda reprimanded GBA officials for delaying tenders for the plantation work and directed them to complete the process within ten days to ensure the drive begins on time.

To ensure transparency, a tracking system will be introduced for every sapling planted during the current financial year. The geo-location, total number, and specific locations of the trees will be published on the corporation's website, enabling citizens to monitor the program and hold civic bodies accountable.