KFDC officer Suresh (L) hands over documents to N Ravindrakumar, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Conservator of Forests, to mark the return of 154 acres of reserved forest land, leased to the corporation, at an event in Madappanahalli plantation on Monday. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre (C) and senior officials discussed the best approach to turn the land into a lung space.
Credit: Special arrangement
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday said that Bengaluru will get a large park after a 150-year gap, adding that the new lung space in Madappanahalli near Yelahanka will benefit the rapidly growing north Bengaluru.
At an event marking the recovery of 153 acres and 39 guntas of land leased in 1988 to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation, Khandre said that Cubbon Park, spread over 197 acres, was the last major park built during the colonial period.
"Major Sankey presented his design for Cubbon Park back in 1870. Lalbagh, the other big park in Bengaluru, was built by Kempegowda and improved by Hyder Ali in 1760. These areas not only attract people, but serve as prime lung spaces for the city," he said.
The minister said that the 153 acres and 39 guntas handed over on Monday will become the city’s third major park. "A detailed project report will be ready in two months, after which tenders will be floated to build a tree park on a strict deadline. We will sanction Rs 20 crore for the project and expect corporate social responsibility contributions to support the work," he said.
He added that the land, currently occupied by eucalyptus, will be restored with native species. He also sought inputs from senior forest officers on creating an ecologically rich, sustainable park.
Senior officers, including Meenakshi Negi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force; PCCF (Wildlife) Subhash K Malkhede; and others, suggested studying the arboretum at Kalkere, bio parks, and Miyawaki parks to identify suitable species, including medicinal plants.
Asked if the Forest Department would get land for compensatory afforestation in return for giving away a reserved forest for plantation, the minister said no non-forest activity would be allowed. "At most, the activities will involve educational programmes to raise awareness about the role of green spaces," he said.