<p>In a step toward building a greener and healthier city, the Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT), Bengaluru, hosted a one-day workshop focused on sustainable urban practices and boosting greenery in fast-growing urban and suburban areas.</p>.<p>Inaugurating the workshop, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad praised the initiative as timely and necessary, noting its potential to bring back Bengaluru’s legacy as a garden city. The workshop also served as a platform to propose the creation of an urban agriculture policy, with a recommendation to hold monthly programmes for public engagement.</p>.<p>Ashok Dalawai, Chairman of the Karnataka State Agricultural Price Commission, emphasised the need for clear regulations to implement urban and peri-urban agricultural practices.</p>.Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre orders recovery of 450-acre forest land illegally granted to IAF.<p>“In the 21st century, there is a need for agriculture to enter urban spaces as well, and not just rural India. As more people are shifting to urban India day by day, agriculture cannot remain in rural India,” he added.</p>.<p>Renowned ecologist Chandrashekar Biradar added, “Just a 4% increase in green cover can bring down the temperature of a city by 1%. We need at least 33% green cover in urban and suburban areas to control rising temperatures.”</p>.<p>He also shared insights from a study showing that people living close to greenery tend to be more peaceful and humble.</p>.<p>Secretary of IAT, Yogesh G H, explained the core aim of the workshop.</p>.<p>He said, “The idea was to encourage rooftop gardening wherever possible so that green cover increases. Urban environments are not very healthy right now. With more greenery, we can clean the air and lower the temperature. Rooftop farming helps not just the city but also allows people to grow chemical-free greens, vegetables, and fruits.”</p>.<p>Over 175 participants attended the event, which included a live demonstration on home gardening and discussions on future sustainability strategies for Bengaluru.</p>
<p>In a step toward building a greener and healthier city, the Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT), Bengaluru, hosted a one-day workshop focused on sustainable urban practices and boosting greenery in fast-growing urban and suburban areas.</p>.<p>Inaugurating the workshop, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad praised the initiative as timely and necessary, noting its potential to bring back Bengaluru’s legacy as a garden city. The workshop also served as a platform to propose the creation of an urban agriculture policy, with a recommendation to hold monthly programmes for public engagement.</p>.<p>Ashok Dalawai, Chairman of the Karnataka State Agricultural Price Commission, emphasised the need for clear regulations to implement urban and peri-urban agricultural practices.</p>.Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre orders recovery of 450-acre forest land illegally granted to IAF.<p>“In the 21st century, there is a need for agriculture to enter urban spaces as well, and not just rural India. As more people are shifting to urban India day by day, agriculture cannot remain in rural India,” he added.</p>.<p>Renowned ecologist Chandrashekar Biradar added, “Just a 4% increase in green cover can bring down the temperature of a city by 1%. We need at least 33% green cover in urban and suburban areas to control rising temperatures.”</p>.<p>He also shared insights from a study showing that people living close to greenery tend to be more peaceful and humble.</p>.<p>Secretary of IAT, Yogesh G H, explained the core aim of the workshop.</p>.<p>He said, “The idea was to encourage rooftop gardening wherever possible so that green cover increases. Urban environments are not very healthy right now. With more greenery, we can clean the air and lower the temperature. Rooftop farming helps not just the city but also allows people to grow chemical-free greens, vegetables, and fruits.”</p>.<p>Over 175 participants attended the event, which included a live demonstration on home gardening and discussions on future sustainability strategies for Bengaluru.</p>
