After a century, Bengaluru set to get new biodiversity park
The forest department, over the next few months, will clear the eucalyptus plantation, plant native tree species in two-and-a-half years, and convert the landscape into a much-needed lung space for growing North Bengaluru.
Kickstarting the process of setting up the biodiversity park, the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) on Monday handed over the reserve park back to the forest department in the presence of forest minister Eshwar Khandre.
"Long ago, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru, developed a floral park and set up a tower. Subsequently, in 1760, Hyder Ali developed Lalbagh Botanical Garden on 240 acres of land, and the British developed Cubbon Park in 1870 on 197 acres.
But since then, Bengaluru has not seen the development of any mega park. After over a year, we are close to seeing the development of yet another mega biodiversity park," he said.
Khandre said in a few months, the department will clear eucalyptus, which has already been banned by the govt, and start work on the park. "I have directed the officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within the legal framework based on suggestions from biodiversity experts and citizens over the next two months. CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar will lay the foundation for the park. We have planned to complete the work over the next 2.5 years.
The govt has given Rs 20 crore in the first phase," he added.
Khandre said there are suggestions to create Basaveshwara medicinal garden, Kempegowda mini zoo, BR Ambedkar aviary, Indira Gandhi biopark, and Saalumarada Thimmakka tree park in the area. "BDA's Shivaram Karanth layout is nearby and the airport is also in the vicinity, and the biopark will be a major attraction in future," he added.
Greens bat for lung space
During an interaction with locals and forest officials, the minister received responses ranging from setting up an arboretum, germplasm bank on the lines of the famous Kew Gardens of London offering a scientific perspective to students, butterfly park, tree conservation reserve, recreation of Western Ghats species under microclimatic conditions, promotion of ecotourism, and bamboo grove with water bodies.
However, conservationists differed with the idea of the govt. "Converting a reserve forest into a tree or biopark involves a lot of legal issues and environmental impacts. The state may have to obtain permission from the Centre. Clearing eucalyptus is a good decision, but at the same time, forest landscapes do not involve human activities, while bioparks involve tourism and human activities. If the govt's intention is to create a lung space, it should retain the landscape as a forest and develop it as a buffer to the nearby Jarakbande Kaval, where there is already thriving wildlife, and only part of this area can be permitted for human activity with temporary structures just like Turahalli forest," said a conservationist from Shivamogga.
Braj Kishore Singh, former PCCF, advised the govt that it should regenerate the natural forest with native tree species. "Regeneration of forest in any landscape, especially surrounded by human habitation, will act as a natural lung space. The govt must also consider regeneration of sandalwood in the area."
Allaying the concerns, Khandre said: "We will allow only what has been permitted within the reserve forest areas.
If need be, we will get clearance from the Centre before chalking out plans. But we will not allow any non-forest activity in the area."
Box:
IN THE PIPELINE
Forest: Madappanahalli Reserve Forest
Area: 153.4 acres
Location: Madappanahalli-Singanayakanahalli (Yelahanka)
Year of notification: 1935
Leased to KFDC: 1988
Expiry of lease: 2016
Withdrawal of the land: 2025
Flora: 800 species of native trees along with lakhs of eucalyptus trees
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