“Green Bangalore” Initiative Launched to Restore City’s Ecological Legacy
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar Unveils Urban Afforestation Project in Collaboration with BBMP and Civic Groups
Bengaluru, June 6, 2025 – In a significant step toward reviving Bengaluru’s fading green cover, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inaugurated the “Green Bangalore” urban forestry initiative. The project, a partnership between the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Unboxing BLR Foundation, and citizen groups, aims to transform underutilized public spaces into micro-forests using native species.
Speaking at the launch event held at Nehru Planetarium, Shivakumar emphasized the urgency of ecological restoration: “Bengaluru was once celebrated as the Garden City, but unchecked urbanization has eroded its green legacy. This initiative isn’t just symbolic—it’s a commitment to sustainable revival, ensuring future generations inherit a livable city.”
A Blueprint for Urban Reforestation
The initiative will focus on high-density plantation of indigenous trees across 100 identified sites over 18 months, creating mini-forests in neighborhoods and peripheral zones. Key objectives include:
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Biodiversity Revival: Restoring habitats for local flora and fauna.
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Climate Mitigation: Reducing urban heat and filtering air pollutants.
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Groundwater Recharge: Strengthening natural water systems through green corridors.
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Low Maintenance: Cultivating self-sustaining ecosystems.
BBMP Commissioner Maheshwar Rao affirmed the civic body’s support, noting, “We’ve earmarked vacant plots and parks for afforestation. Government nurseries will provide saplings free of cost, ensuring scalability.”
Public-Private Partnerships Drive Change
The Unboxing BLR Foundation, a non-profit collective, will lead implementation. Its chairperson, Prashanth Prakash, outlined the vision: *”From JP Nagar’s pilot micro-forest, we’re expanding to every ward. Our goal is to make Bengaluru India’s first city with 100 such forests—compact, native, and community-owned.”*
The project has garnered support from United Way Bengaluru, Rainmatter Foundation, and the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC).
Beyond Trees: A Holistic Urban Vision
Unboxing BLR’s broader initiatives include:
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Our Bengaluru Challenge: Grants for startups/NGOs solving civic issues.
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BLR Habba: An annual festival celebrating the city’s creativity.
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MIST Museum: A public-private tech-innovation showcase.
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Data-driven governance: The WeAreCity report benchmarks Bengaluru’s socio-economic progress.
Why This Matters
With groundwater depletion and rising temperatures plaguing the city, the initiative offers a replicable model for India’s urban centers. As Prakash noted, “This isn’t just planting trees—it’s rewriting how cities coexist with nature.”
