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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
After a century, Bengaluru set to get new biodiversity park
Bengaluru: After over a century since the formation of Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Sri Chamarajendra Park (Cubbon Park), Bengaluru is set to get a mega biodiversity park for the public on a sprawling 153.4 acres of Madappanahalli reserve forest area near Yelahanka, which currently has an eucalyptus plantation raised by the KFDC. 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
The Print
25-04-2025
- Science
- The Print
Former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan, the brain behind NEP 2020, dies at 84
He passed away at 10.43 am at his home in Bengaluru after a prolonged illness. In a statement, the family said Kasturirangan's body will be kept at Bengaluru's Raman Research Institute (RRI) Sunday between 10 am and 12 pm for people to pay their last respects. Kasturirangan, who also served as secretary of the Department of Space, was the pioneer of India's remote sensing satellites and played a pivotal role in propelling India to the front and centre of the highly competitive emerging space race. New Delhi: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, known as the father of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in India's space circuit, died Friday. He was 84. Kasturirangan survived a major heart attack in 2023 but his health condition progressively deteriorated since, people close to the scientist told ThePrint. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X said Kasturirangan's visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered. 'He served ISRO with great diligence, steering India's space programme to new heights, for which we also received global recognition,' Modi posted on social media platform 'X'. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India's scientific and educational journey. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered. He served ISRO with great diligence, steering India's space… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2025 'To me, he was far more than a mentor—he was a guiding light, a wellspring of wisdom, compassion, and quiet strength. I consider myself truly fortunate to have received his affection, blessings, and guidance over the years,' Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted on X. I am deeply heartbroken by the passing of Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. Kasturirangan ji. His loss is not only a profound one for the global scientific and academic community, but an intensely personal one for me. To me, he was far more than a mentor — he was a guiding light, a… — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 25, 2025 Also read: 'Centre should refer to 2013 report' — ex-ISRO chief on upcoming Western Ghats notification Space pioneer Best known for his illustrious career in shaping India's space programme, Kasturirangan was chairperson of ISRO for nine years, between 1994 and 2003. Before taking charge of the ISRO, he held various important positions, including as director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, where he oversaw activities related to the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2), Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A and 1B), scientific satellites and new generation spacecraft. He was also project director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites—BHASKARA-I and II—and spearheaded the country's first operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-1A. Under his leadership, ISRO also launched and operationalised its most trusted workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and undertook the first successful flight testing of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). These launch vehicles have the highest success records and continue to be used for significant mission launches. Former ISRO chairperson, S. Somanath, told ThePrint the passing of Kasturirangan was a big loss to the scientific community, which gained immensely from his work and experience. 'A lot of what the ISRO has achieved is because of his contributions.' In 2013, a 10-member panel led by Kasturirangan recommended the notification of 37 percent of the 1.29 lakh square kilometres of Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive. In an interview with ThePrint in August last year, he had urged the government to implement recommendations of the committee to ensure protection and conservation of the Western Ghats while considering the plight of residents in the area. The brain behind NEP 2020 Dr. K. Kasturirangan was also the driving force behind India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—a landmark policy that introduced sweeping changes across all levels of the country's education system. His leadership helped draft the policy encompassing a wide spectrum of educational reforms, including early childhood care and education, restructuring of school and higher education, examination reforms, and enhanced teacher training and professional development. He also chaired a 12-member steering committee that developed the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which now serves as the foundation for new school textbooks currently being rolled out across the country. His colleagues from the NEP steering committee fondly remember him as a democratic and visionary leader who deeply valued collective input. 'He always thought ahead of his time while drafting the policy,' said NEP committee member and academician M.K. Sridhar in an interview with ThePrint. 'His approach wasn't to merely solve today's problems, but to envision the future of education in India.' Sridhar remembered Kasturirangan's inclusive and open-minded approach while drafting the policy. 'He took inputs for NEP 2020 from a wide range of voices—even school students. He gave equal importance to everyone's views and never dismissed anyone's. Throughout the process, he listened carefully and encouraged all of us to share our opinions freely,' he said. Early education and work Kasturirangan had a Bachelors degree in Science with Honours from the Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai, and a Masters degree in Physics from what was then called Bombay University (now University of Mumbai). He then received his Doctorate in experimental high-energy astronomy in 1971 from the university, and extensively worked in the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad during his early career. In past conversations with ThePrint, Kasturirangan spoke extensively about his love for astrophysics, particularly in the areas of high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy and optical astronomy. A recipient of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri for his contributions in the field of science, Kasturirangan had a long list of awards to his name, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Dr Vikram Sarabhai Prerit Award in Aerospace, MP Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy, Shri MM Chugani Memorial Award in Applied Science, H.K. Firodia Award in Science Technology, among others. Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Sriharikota, we have a situation. Limited budget, manpower are stifling India's space ambitions
