5 mini-Lalbaghs to come up across state

The city's Lalbagh Botanical Garden will be replicated across the state by the Department of Horticulture.

The department has decided to create five botanical gardens along the lines of Lalbagh. Doddasagara in Tumakuru, Annakunuru in Chikkaballapur, Dattagalli in Mysuru, Tarakanahalli in Uttara Kannada and Kannamangala in Bengaluru East have been shortlisted to house them.

"Work has already begun to create them. The idea is to replicate Lalbagh. However, due to a lack of funds, it cannot be taken up altogether. So, we have decided to implement it in phases, as and when the funds are released," a Horticulture Department official said.

The chosen spots are on the land that belongs to the department which has also decided to retain the local landscape. A total of Rs 8 crore has been sanctioned by the government. The work to provide basic facilities at the shortlisted places has begun and a blueprint is also ready.

To ensure that the project is completed successfully, a committee has been formed which will be headed by noted environmentalist, A N Yellappa Reddy. It also comprises scientists, horticulture experts and members of the Kerala Botanical Gardens. The IDEK has helped in creating the blueprint.

"Lalbagh has 2,250 plant species which have been conserved. But there are many which need to be identified and conserved. By creating such gardens, the landscape and the species will be protected," the official added.

Doddasagara - The garden will spread across 228 acres and will be named Dr H M Marigowda Botanical Plant Conservation and Development Centre. The compound wall is being built and two borewells have been dug.

Kannamangala - The garden will be spread across 70 acres. The land has many coconut trees. The department has planned to grow pepper creepers on the trees. The idea is to replicate the Western Ghats.

Anakanuru - The garden will be named after Sir M V Visvesvaraya and will spread across 70 acres.