Kalasipalyam terminal design changed to save parakeet perches

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has changed its design for the proposed Kalasipalyam bus station to save 23 of the 32 trees that would have been axed if the corporation had executed its original plan.

“The 32 trees are home to 8,000 parakeets. After a three-day study, we made a presentation to BMTC officials with photographs and documents. Let alone officials, many people in the surroundings did not know that the small green pocket is home to so many birds. They leave their nests early in the morning and come back late in the evening and people can hardly notice the activity,” said tree committee member Vijay Nishanth.

However, he said the BMTC’s immediate response was positive. “They took it seriously from day one. Now we are relieved that the parakeets will not be robbed of their homes,” he said.

BMTC managing director Ekroop Caur said she agreed to change the design of the Rs 60-crore project after seeing the importance of trees. “There was a discussion with officials after which we immediately decided to save the trees,” she added.

When asked whether the modifications will lead to hike in the project cost, she said there was no substantial change.

Nishanth agreed that even the cutting of nine trees will cause some damage. “We hope the birds shift to the remaining trees. We have to wait and watch,” he said.