Palike's indifference affects saplings

The monsoon has put paid to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) plans to plant saplings across the City as part of bringing back greenery to Bangalore.

However, those already planted are dying an early death thanks to the Palike’s lackadaisical attitude towards their care and protection.

According to environmentalists, BBMP’s overzealous large-scale tree planting in the past resulted in blunders during monsoon season. Poor maintenance had resulted in their death. Environmentalists observed that this happened due to sheer negligence of the staff concerned, as they do not take sufficient care for the protection of saplings.

Though the saplings were planted six months ago in our area, no one kept a check on them since then, says Prabhu, a resident of Chowdeshwari Nagar.

“There is no one to complain to. Vehicles are parked over the saplings, tree guards are damaged while parking vehicles and garbage is dumped around the saplings. I myself water the saplings. If everyone does the same, the saplings will grow into trees and providing shade for all,” he said.

Many tree guards, made of bamboo, are simply missing. The tree guards being delicate cannot sustain for long and they fall down, bringing the saplings down with them. Some bamboo guards are damaged by stray dogs, proving to be a major threat to the saplings.

BBMP chief conservator of forests, Brijesh Kumar, blamed staff shortage for the lack of protection to the saplings. He said, “For every 25 sq km in Bangalore, the total staff strength is less than two dozen. So, it becomes difficult to keep a check on the tree guards and the saplings.

Normally we look after the plant till two years after it has been planted. Once in a year, we plant new saplings and replace dead plants,” he said.

BBMP now plans to replace bamboo guards with metal ones. With theft so rampant, it remains to be seen if the metal guards survive and protect the plants.