Greens come together to address environmental challenges in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: To mark World Environment Day, various organisations came together in the city to address pressing environmental challenges such as lake rejuvenation, deforestation, and urban biodiversity loss. 

From hands-on tree plantation drives to awareness campaigns and citizen-led afforestation efforts, the city witnessed a collective push toward sustainable and community-driven action for a greener future. 

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research organised a tree plantation drive to promote environmental responsibility. Its director Dr Tusar Kanti Behera highlighted the need to nurture nature, stating, “We must enjoy nature by nourishing it — not at the cost of it.” 

The institute also launched the week-long 'IIHR BiodiVerse' campaign (June 5–12) to celebrate campus biodiversity, encouraging submissions of flora and fauna photographs for the IIHR Biodiversity Database. 

Volunteers from Namma Bengaluru Lakes also took part in a plantation drive, with many expressing joy at seeing active citizen participation and the visible impact of restoration, especially the Gangashetty Lake, KR Puram, which had been dry the previous year, now holding water. 

An original 1,500 lakes have been reduced to 182 lakes as per the BBMP's Lakes Department, resulting in urban floods. 

Alexander James, an environmentalist part of the Environmental Impact Group, led students from St Joseph’s College on a plantation drive. 

The Bengaluru Division of the South Western Railway conducted a series of initiatives to celebrate the day. 

Ashutosh Mathur, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, administered the World Environment Day pledge to officers, staff and passengers at the KSR Bengaluru railway station, reaffirming the commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. Cloth bags were distributed to passengers to discourage the use of single-use plastics and promote eco-friendly practices. A tree plantation programme was organised at MG Railway Colony.