Two lakh saplings to be planted in Bengaluru this year, Deputy CM Shivakumar - Rahnuma Daily

Karnataka Deputy CM announces plan to plant two lakh saplings in Bengaluru, urges students to take responsibility for greenery.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced a bold initiative to enhance the green cover in Bengaluru. He revealed that two lakh saplings will be planted by school students in the city as part of the 'Hasiru Rakshaka' (saviour of greenery) programme. Speaking at an event related to World Environment Day 2024, organized as part of the Brand Bengaluru initiative at Cubbon Park, Shivakumar emphasized the importance of transforming Bengaluru into a green city.

He highlighted the need for every student in schools, colleges, and institutions to take responsibility for planting and caring for a plant. Each student will be assigned one plant, and their names will be associated with the plants they nurture. The initiative has already seen 52,000 saplings planted by school students, and efforts will be made to reach the target of two lakh saplings this year. Shivakumar stressed that the future of Bengaluru's environment depends on the green cover, as plants are the foundation of tomorrow's trees, which in turn ensure rainfall essential for survival.

Reflecting on the rapid growth of Bengaluru, Shivakumar pointed out that the city's founder, Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, could not have envisioned its current size. He underscored the importance of maintaining the green legacy left by our ancestors. The Hasiru Rakshaka programme aims to address the rising temperatures in Bengaluru, which have exceeded 36 degrees compared to the historical average of 28 degrees. The government has allocated Rs 310 crore for greening the city, with additional funding from the 15th Finance Commission for environmental conservation.

Shivakumar drew attention to the severe drought conditions in 200 taluks across the state, including water shortages in Bengaluru. He emphasized that initiatives like Hasiru Rakshaka are crucial in preventing future droughts. By engaging school students in planting and nurturing saplings, the programme seeks to secure a sustainable future for Bengaluru's environment. The Deputy Chief Minister urged everyone to join hands in protecting and preserving the greenery of the city for generations to come.

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