<p>Bengaluru: The Karnataka Horticulture Department has begun work on introducing floating gardens at the Lalbagh lake in a bid to purify and beautify the waterbody and its surroundings.</p>.<p>The department has engaged an external agency to install around 22 such gardens, each mounted on a PVC-pipe base, along the periphery of the 30-acre lakebed.</p>.<p>With about 80% of the frames already set up, officials have set a 25-day deadline to complete the remaining structures, plant the saplings, and release the gardens into the water.</p>.<p>Officials said the floating gardens are being built in two configurations — 12 by 15 feet and 6 by 4 feet — and will host between 70 and 300 saplings of Canna Indica.</p>.<p>“We chose Canna Indica because it is the most cost-effective and water-friendly option. Once the root system is submerged, the plants absorb nutrients directly from the water. They flower year-round and have excellent water purification capabilities,” said M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Horticulture (Parks and Gardens), Lalbagh.</p>.<p>The entire cost is being borne by the implementing agency, he added.</p>.<p>Each floating panel will feature differently coloured plants, which are expected to prevent algal growth and attract birds such as waterhens.</p>.<p>"We believe this initiative will also enhance the lake’s beauty,” Jagadeesh said. Once planted, the saplings are expected to take three to four months to grow into a “bushy” stage, after which flowering will begin.</p>.<p>"These plants will boost the dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. The only maintenance needed will be clearing dead leaves and flowers every three to four months,” he explained.</p>.<p>He also mentioned the possibility of experimenting with Alocasia plants in two of the panels.</p>.<p>A similar project was piloted three months ago in Lalbagh’s lotus pond, where the department spent around Rs 75,000 on aerators and Rs 3.25 lakh to set up six floating panels.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Karnataka Horticulture Department has begun work on introducing floating gardens at the Lalbagh lake in a bid to purify and beautify the waterbody and its surroundings.</p>.<p>The department has engaged an external agency to install around 22 such gardens, each mounted on a PVC-pipe base, along the periphery of the 30-acre lakebed.</p>.<p>With about 80% of the frames already set up, officials have set a 25-day deadline to complete the remaining structures, plant the saplings, and release the gardens into the water.</p>.<p>Officials said the floating gardens are being built in two configurations — 12 by 15 feet and 6 by 4 feet — and will host between 70 and 300 saplings of Canna Indica.</p>.<p>“We chose Canna Indica because it is the most cost-effective and water-friendly option. Once the root system is submerged, the plants absorb nutrients directly from the water. They flower year-round and have excellent water purification capabilities,” said M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Horticulture (Parks and Gardens), Lalbagh.</p>.<p>The entire cost is being borne by the implementing agency, he added.</p>.<p>Each floating panel will feature differently coloured plants, which are expected to prevent algal growth and attract birds such as waterhens.</p>.<p>"We believe this initiative will also enhance the lake’s beauty,” Jagadeesh said. Once planted, the saplings are expected to take three to four months to grow into a “bushy” stage, after which flowering will begin.</p>.<p>"These plants will boost the dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. The only maintenance needed will be clearing dead leaves and flowers every three to four months,” he explained.</p>.<p>He also mentioned the possibility of experimenting with Alocasia plants in two of the panels.</p>.<p>A similar project was piloted three months ago in Lalbagh’s lotus pond, where the department spent around Rs 75,000 on aerators and Rs 3.25 lakh to set up six floating panels.</p>
