BBMP sapling drive: Best time is around June

Dr A.N. Yellappa Reddy

It is disgusting to know that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Forest Department is planning to take up plantation drive at an inappropriate time. It is quite shocking to come across ignorance of the authorities concerned on adverse weather conditions in March or April.

The temperatures in Bengaluru are expected to be around 40 degree Celsius during summer and the ground level temperature is expected to be at 44 or 45 degree Celsius. It is not clear how the BBMP authorities expect to water the saplings during the summer. Due to the heat wave in summer, a huge quantity of water will be required for watering the saplings and it will result in doubling the maintenance cost.

The other problem with the BBMP authorities is engaging contractors who have no expertise in planting saplings. Majority of them are not from Bengaluru and they will bring unskilled workers from North India for planting and maintenance of saplings. These workers will end up damaging roots of the saplings thus wasting the efforts to plant saplings and spending tax-payers’ money without serving the purpose.

The best time for planting saplings is the last week of May or the first week of June. With the onset of the monsoon and the root system of these saplings will be established. Plants will take advantage of the monsoon. I want the BBMP authorities to have the expertise in planting saplings or take the help of environmentalists during the plantation drive.

(Dr A.N. Yellappa Reddy Environmentalist)