NGEF land safe, govt to preserve heritage, greenery

The govt’s Bengaluru Heritage and Environment Trust will re-purpose the buildings and the land that surrounds them.

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Greens who lost sleep over the possible conversion of the lush tracts of lush greenery on government-owned land into a concrete jungle can heave a sigh of relief. Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani categorically denied the possibility of selling or transferring land belonging to the New Government Electrical Factory (NGEF) and Mysore Lamp Works Limited (MLWL) factory to private entities. Instead, said Nirani, the government plans to implement a novel “Experience Bengaluru” project, to showcase Bengaluru’s culture and heritage and preserve lung space in the heart of the city.

The Experience Bengaluru Project’ was approved on June 8, 2021, and a Public Charitable Trust, the Bengaluru Heritage and Environment Trust’ registered. The seven-member trust will be headed by the Chief Secretary and will include Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development; BBMP Chief Commissioner, Additional Chief Commissioner of Commerce and Industry Department and Commissioner for Industries will be among the seven members”. Five eminent persons will be part of the Trust to guide and two have already been appointed, Nirani said.

Replying to a query in the Legislative Council, Minister Nirani said, “Our aim is to use the available space to showcase our rich culture and heritage. The Chief Secretary will be the chairman of the seven-member Trust. The Government had issued an order on December 1, 2020 approving implementation of novel ‘Experience Bengaluru Project’ on the land belonging to the Mysore Lamp Works Limited factory in Malleswaram. A Public Charitable Trust in the name of ‘Bengaluru Heritage and Environment Trust’ has been registered on June 8, 2021.

The Mysore Lamp Works Limited, located on a 21-acre plot, was declared a sick industry in 1996. The Government has created a corpus of Rs 25 crore in the Bengaluru Heritage and Environment Trust and released Rs 10 crore to the Trust in May 2021.

It is believed that the Trust is preparing a detailed project report for the ‘Experience Bengaluru Project’ in the MLWL and ‘Tree Park and repurposing of existing buildings’ in the NGEF land. The main objective of the Trust is to preserve, create, exhibit, fund or promote any monuments, places or structures of artistic or historic interest. And also preserve and increase the green space in Bengaluru and promote the state’s culture and heritage.

Welcoming the government’s decision, Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, a well-known environmentalist, expressed his willingness to provide free consultations to develop a mahavana (forest), tapovana (meditation forest) and kalyanis (water ponds) on the NGEF land. “Bengaluru badly needs greenery. The development of forest on NGEF land will help Bangaloreans fresh air and water. Forests are a stress buster and eco-clinic and ensure psychotherapy for people,’’ said Dr Yellappa Reddy.

Cautioning the state government to take measures to ensure the legacy of Karnataka at the proposed heritage park - Experience Bengaluru Project – environmentalist Suresh Heblikar says the park should have muchneeded information on Bengaluru and also Karnataka.

“The proposed heritage park should have data on Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Hyder Ali, Sir Mark Cubbon and other great people who have contributed a lot towards the development of the state and Bengaluru. The park must highlight the history of Bengaluru that is known for 1,000 lakes and trees of different varieties,’’ Heblikar said.