BDA draws ambitious plan to make KG Layout lush green

The Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) forest cell and engineering wing have come together to chalk out a plan to increase the green cover in the upcoming Kempegowda Layout (KG Layout) and protect the existing trees there.

While no new trees have been planted in KG Layout so far, the BDA is planning on how to make the layout environment friendly. “We are deciding on which species to plant where. This is being done in co-ordination with all departments. The sites, roads and trees will all be in sync. It will be based on themes,” BDA Deputy Conservator of Forests B Jayaram told Deccan Herald.

Native small- and medium-sized aesthetic plants will be planted on main roads. Flowering- and shade-bearing species will be planted in residential lanes and by-lanes. This will be to make sure the trees do not become weak and fall, damaging properties and injuring people, especially during rains. Fruit-bearing trees will be planted in parks, CA sites and lung spaces. The dimension of parks will range from half an acre to five acres. Medicinal, aromatic and aesthetic plants will be planted in the layout.

Planning greenery was carried out even before for all layouts. But earlier big May Flower trees would be given more importance. But now they will not be in the list as they have become dangerous to human beings. Now Honge and Neem will be planted more in KG Layout.

Trees were planted in Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout, Banashankari and Anjanapura in this manner too. According to Jayaram, the list of species will be critically selected for KG Layout. The BDA board has ordered planting of one crore saplings in and around Bengaluru. “So procuring the saplings will not be a problem. We have to ensure that right saplings are planted so that green cover is not lost any more,” he added.