Bangalore is losing its trees. But here’s how you can help keep the Garden city green

Bengaluru is chopping trees by the hundreds for phase two of the metro project. BBMP has secured permission to fell at least 190 trees and encroach upon forest land. When they actually begin the chopping, the number is sure to go up.

BBMP’s website for tree-felling management, a platform for requests and objections alike, does not have a word to say about compensation and replanting.

Another shocking incident is the recent cutting of 35 trees at Banashankari III Ring Road, by unidentified people. Though locals are devastated, it’s rumored that the business establishments there got it done for ‘better visibility’ for their retail shops.

Whatever the reason, the worst part of all these incidents is that nobody wants to talk about how to compensate for the loss of these trees. The ones who cut don’t bother about replanting elsewhere to make up for the damage done.

We are not completely out of hope though. Bangalore has some concerned citizens who dip down their busy schedules to maintain the city’s greenery. These nature lovers are the heroes behind new greenery that’s coming up in unused lands to balance the frenzied rates of chopping.

The most recent addition to a good list of tree-planting NGOs is Say Trees. They are Bangalore’s own IT professionals who are going around the city, looking for spaces to plant saplings. Their next destination is Koramangala, where 500 saplings will be planted on the 11^th of July.

If these guys with full-time jobs can make time for a green cause, who couldn’t? Even if you can’t plant trees, the least you can do is take action when you see a tree being cut. Here are a few things you can do:

Firstly,  when you find people cutting trees, stop them and ask them for proof of permission from the BBMP.

If they don’t have it, stop them immediately and warn them about illegal cutting being a criminal offense.

If they still refuse to budge, immediately call the nearest BBMP office and notify them.

These details will sure come in handy:

Tree officer North: Covers the following zones – Dasarahalli , East Zone, Mahadevpura, Bytarayanapura 080-22485317, 94806 83127, 94806 83013 Address: 2nd floor, BBMP South Zonal Office,2nd Block, 9th cross Jayanagar, BBMP, Bangalore-560011,

Tree officer South: Covers the following zones – South, West, Bomannahalli, Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, 080-2657 8423, 94806 83842, 9480684641 Address: Public Utility Building, 17th Floor, M.G. Road, Bangalore-560 001.

If these guys aren’t available, the next step would be to call the nearest police station.

If you are unlucky there too, then call the BBMP control room at 080-22221188 / 080-22975595 / 080-22225657

 Well, this is the least we can do for the city. If not go somewhere, bring tree protection close to home.

Also read:

Nizhal is the new name of green revolution: Here is a group that is reinventing green space near you

India’s other daughters – The village that plants 111 trees when a girl is born

Bangalore is the most beautiful city in India right now