Park land 'vanishes' in CDP 2005

Park land 'vanishes' in CDP 2005
Monday August 29 2005 08:52 IST
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE120050828223105&Page=1&Title=Bangalore&Topic=0&aDate=8%2F29%2F2005


BANGALORE: Bangaloreans may now have to forget the dream of another Cubbon park or Lalbagh. While the citizens are urging for large parks and open spaces at the regional level to retain the glory of Bangalore as a garden city, the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) does not reflect it.

Instead, it has scrapped the idea of regional parks proposed in CDP-1995.

CDP 1995 had earmarked six locations of the city to an extent of 1,250 hectares for developing regional parks. But the CDP-2005 does not recognise them as parks and has marked them for other purposes.

Locations marked for regional parks were in Banashankari VI Stage, Hebbal, Yeshwantpur, Madivala, Whitefield (Doddenakundli) and Rajarajeshwarinagar. There is no trace of parks on these lands for the past ten years.

Instead they have been used for other purposes either by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) itself or by encroachers.

The land marked for a park in Banashankari VI Stage has been used for residential purpose by BDA.

“A part of the land in Hebbal near Hebbal tank has been used for the flyover. The downward strip is not developed,” a former town-planning official said.

The Doddenakundli area in Whitefield, is earmarked for residential purpose in the present CDP, according to him. In Yeshwantpur and Madivala areas only the tank bed is left and the surrounding areas are encroached upon.

“Even BWSSB has some construction,” the official said.

In Rajarajeshwarinagar or Ideal homes, the marked land is also used for purposes other than the development of a park.

“The new CDP may identify lands for residential or semi-public use, but certainly not for the development of a park,” the official said.

The parks were planned at regional levels to serve different parts of the city to meet the requirement of lung spaces. “Even some existing parks, which are shown in the existing land use maps, are changed to public and semi-public use,” the official said.

“The BDA has not taken adequate measures to freeze encroachments. Why should the public pay for their mistake? Let BDA identify some other location for parks if they have difficulties in developing the marked land into parks,” the official said.

Residents argue that Cubbon park and Lalbagh were built when the city had just a two lakh population. “Now it has crossed over 70 lakhs, and the two parks cannot meet the need,” Ramaksrishna, a resident says.

Greenery around the city

Greenery around the city
It is possible for residents and residents’ associations to get plants and guidance to make the city spaces look greener
The Times of India


Have you noticed how colourful and green some of the medians and islands in the city are? And it does make you wish that all the medians and islands were as well-maintained and pretty. However, there are only specific types of plants that are suitable for such civic spaces.

According to a senior officer in the Horticulture Department, the medians in the city are currently being outsourced to private institutions. Seven such medians have already been given out in south Bangalore and more are likely to follow. The private institutions are required to make their own investment for planting the trees and plants, and have to maintain them as well. The deputy directors (advertisement) and DC development are in charge of the medians and institutions are chosen through a tendering process. In case individuals or residents' associations wish to look after a median, they would be required to participate in this process. The plan approval for the median is given by the Horticulture Department which also provides technical guidance, guidance on the kind of plants to be planted, trimming of shrubs etc.

Islands and circles however, are given out for adoption and a tendering process is not in place for this purpose. A hospital for instance, has adopted 17 islands in south Bangalore and is maintaining them. So, if individuals or residents' associations wish to adopt any island, circle or even a park, they must send a request letter to the district commissioner pertaining to their area and once he approves it, a certificate will be issued for a period of between one to three years.

The Deputy Conservator of Forest - Bangalore (Urban), B M Parameshwara, says that only dwarf species of plants should be planted in medians and not trees. Bohemia, bougainvillea, parijatha and pongemia are also ideal for this space. "When it comes to circles, small shrubs that are ornamental can be planted," he explains. "Bangalore is a place where you can plant any type of species and it will grow healthily. This is because the city is blessed with the effects of both the south-western and north-eastern monsoons, and the soil is very good too".

Sidewalks and footpaths are often a sad sight and many residents take to planting plants especially in the area in front of their homes. However, residents must become aware that footpaths and sidewalks are meant for just that particular purpose and any attempt by them to plant shrubs and plants on them of their own volition is considered illegal. "Just because the sidewalks and footpaths are wide, residents cannot plant trees or plants according to their wish. It's not allowed," says the senior horticulture official.

Guidance on the type of plants and trees to be planted in these areas is readily given by the Horticulture Department and they also sell plants and seedlings at a very nominal rate for this purpose. In case you want a nice kitchen garden or a garden welcoming people into your home, then the Horticulture Department is a good place to head to for advice and plants. For a kitchen garden for instance, plants like lime, pomegranate, curry leaf, vegetables and other fruits, are ideal says a senior horticulture officer, who adds that coconut trees are also extremely popular for homes.

Choosing plants…
With water in shortage for drinking and home use, one should be prudent while planting trees at home. It would be wise to go in for plants that consume less water.
Here are some suggestions:
Bougainvillea: Named after a French navigator, this plant's flowers can be of several different hues like pink, red, orange, or white. It requires sparse to light watering and is a warm weather plant that grows well in slightly colder climates as well.
Rat poison plant: Another plant that requires less water, it can be trimmed to shape. It's quite suitable for medians.
Duranta speciosa: This plant has big variegated leaves and is also suitable for medians.
Cacti: There are numerous species of cacti that are available. These plants are generally to be kept dry when they are dormant and more water is necessary during active growth.
Fruit trees: These also require less water and since Bangalore has good rainfall, are ideal for homes.

A Scottish Environmentalist in Madras

A Scottish Environmentalist in Madras
http://newstodaynet.com/23aug/ss3.htm
V SUNDARAM

The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (RBGE) is one of the great botanic gardens of the world. While nearly 1 million people visit its living collections every year, many are unaware of the riches of its collections. These include the herbarium, which contains over 2 million specimens of dried plants dating back to 1697 and drawn from all over the world. It also has one of Britain's finest botanical libraries and archives. It is this unique combination of living and historical collections, crossing the artificial boundaries of art and science that enables the gardens to undertake its world- class primary research.

The contribution of Scottish medical botanists to the documentation both written and illustrative of India's rich flora from 1750 to 1900 was indeed remarkable. Hugh Francis Clarke Cleghorn (1820-1895) who came to Madras in 1842 to join the Madras Medical Service belongs to this glorious tradition. He traveled extensively in Southern India as an Army Surgeon from the 'arid sands of Madras City', the undulating plateau of the Mysore, the primeval forest of Coorg and Malabar, the woodless plains of Chengalpet and South Arcot and the Malabar Ghats, where in the South-West Monsoon the lancet, in pocket, coats with rust. He was advised by his mentor Sir Joseph Hooker of Edinburgh 'to study one plant a day for a quarter of an hour' which he did 'after the morning's duty in the jail and hospital was over'. During this period he became aware of the deleterious effects of deforestation and shifting agriculture in Madras Presidency. He brought this problem of deforestation in India in general and the districts of Madras Presidency in particular to the attention of an international audience at the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, in 1850. Cleghorn was appointed as Chairman of a Committee to investigate the probable economical and physical effects of Tropical Deforestation in 1851. This report covered the whole of India and had a seminal influence in the setting up of forest conservation policies and departments both in India and elsewhere in the British colonies.

In 1852 Cleghorn was appointed as Professor of Botany and Materia Medica at the Madras Medical College. In the same year, he became Secretary of the Madras Agri-Horticultural Society on Cathedral Road in Madras. Drawing inspiration from the Great Empire Exhibition in London in 1851, Government of Madras organized the Madras Exhibition in 1855. Cleghorn served as Secretary of the Committee for Raw Products,which were displayed at that Exhibition. He advised the Government of Madras to organise a Forest Department and the Madras Government created a Forest Department in 1855 for the conservation and scientific management of forests. Government of Madras appointed Cleghorn as Conservator of Forests in 1856.

Cleghorn continued to take a major interest in forest conservation, climate and soil which resulted in the banning of the destructive practice of 'shifting cultivation' in the Madras Presidency in 1860. He was responsible for the planting of cinchona plants in experimental plantations around Ootacamund in the Nilgiri Hills in 1861. He was appointed Joint Conservator of Forests for India at Calcutta in 1861. In this capacity he gave a brilliant report on forest management in the North-West Himalayas (including Kashmir, Punjab and the Trans-Indus). His Indian career ended in his appointment as Inspector General of Forests at Calcutta in 1867.

Even after his retirement in 1868, he was actively associated with forest management in Madras Presidency. He bequeathed his personal library of forestry books which became the nucleus for the creation of the Cleghorn Memorial Library at the Museum of Science and Art (now the Royal Museum of Scotland) in 1888. Shakespeare had men like Cleghorn in mind when he wrote those immortal lines:

His life was gentle

And the elements so mixed in him

That Nature might stand up and say

THIS WAS A MAN!

Harvest rainwater, get tax discountAdd to Clippings

Harvest rainwater, get tax discountAdd to Clippings
RAKESH P

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005 01:42:45 AM ]
Citibank NRI Offer
BANGALORE: Collect rainwater and get a 20 per cent discount on the property tax that you pay!

That's the introductory offer from the Karnataka government which is stretching itself to the maximum in popularising the concept of rainwater harvesting in rural habitations across the state.

The government passed an order 10 days ago announcing 20 per discount on property tax for five years to rural folks whose houses have rainwater harvesting facilities. The offer, which starts from September 1 this year, will be on till March 31, 2008.

Speaking to The Times of India, rural development and panchayat raj secretary VP Baligar said: "Karnataka will be the first state in the country to offer concessions on property tax with regard to the implementation of rainwater harvesting programmes."

Encouraging rainwater harvesting facilities will not only check depletion of the groundwater table but also tackle fluorosis, a water-borne disease. There are 56,682 rural habitations across the state and nearly half of these face drinking water problems.

In July this year, drinking water needs of 227 habitations were met through tankers and the needs of 111 habitations were met by sinking borewells.However, about 1,000 habitations in 13 districts recorded excess levels of fluoride in water.

"Rainwater collection and utilisation is one of the best solutions to this crisis. We weighed the pros and cons of making rain water harvesting compulsory like it is in Tamil Nadu.

But as several government programmes thrust on the people have not been received well, we decided to motivate people to go in for rainwater harvesting facilities. In this backdrop we decided to provide incentives on property taxes," Baligar said.

The offer, for the time being, is only confined to rural areas. A similar proposal for urbanites is pending with the urban development department, which is studying the percentage of discount to be given, sources said.

Lalbagh flower show, yours organically

Lalbagh flower show, yours organically
The Times of India 8th Aug 2005

Bangalore: Seeing is believing. For those who marvelled at the Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, the sight of the well-arranged and exotic organically grown flowers and vegetables inside the brightly lit-up Glass House was indeed a magical experience.
Amidst drums and frolic, mayor R. Narayanaswamy declared the eight-day flower show open on Monday.

Over 600 new varieties of plants have been introduced this year, the focus being organically grown flowers, vegetables, medicinal plants and herbs. Everything from organically grown ‘ragi’ and jaggery’ to home-preserved jams/jellies and flowers are on display.

A flower cave at the entrance sets the path for the show. Varieties and shades of hybrid and miniature roses, vinca rosea, cockscomb, celosia, dahlias, other colourful species and a strategically placed water fountain is promising garden lovers a gala time.

Since the iron fences around the corners at the Glass House have gone, the corners wear a decorative look. This year’s other attractions are the exclusive stalls outside the Glass House selling honey, home remedies and aromatic/medicinal plants.

There is a stall by the Association for Promotion of Organic Farming (APOFA), another by Jaivik Society, an organic farmers’ group which aims to ‘brand’ organically grown fruits/vegetables/flowers.

Enthusiasts, especially those interested in organic farming, are in for more. Horticulture minister Alangur Srinivas said the Centre had allotted Rs 107 crore under the National Horticulture Mission to promote organic farming in the state. “The less-investment-more production Israel technology for organic farming will be implemented as a pilot project in 10 taluks in the state from next month. Over 40 lakh of saplings, including 11 lakh cashew ones, are being distributed free of cost to farmers,” he added.

Entry fee for the flower show remains Rs 15 per head; the show will be open on all days till August 15, from 9 am to 6 pm.
As always, the Bonzai House, Dutch art, cacti park and vegetable carving are the crowd-pullers.

Since 1904, the Mysore Horticulture Society has been holding the flower show annually. But before the Glass House was built in 1893, there used to be jaathres featuring flowers and fruits. With patronage from rulers of the erstwhile Mysore state as well as the Britishers, what was essentially Hyder Ali’s ‘home garden’ grew to become the display that it is today. This year, the competitive section has received over a 1,000 official entries.

Over 600 new varieties of plants have been introduced this year, the focus being organically grown flowers, vegetables, medicinal plants and herbs. Everything from organically grown ‘ragi’ and jaggery’ to home-preserved jams/jellies and organically grown flowers are on display.
Entry fee for the flower show remains Rs 15 per head and the show will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on all days till August 15.

A riot of colours greets visitors at flower show

A riot of colours greets visitors at flower show
9th AUg 2005
The Hindu

BANGALORE: Bougainvillea, chrysanthemums, gladioli, roses, asters, various cacti, bonsai, herbs and medicinal plants — a riot of colours greeted enchanted visitors at the Indian Independence Day Horticultural Show organised by the Department of Horticulture and the Mysore Horticultural Society.

A large number of plant varieties are on display at the show inaugurated by Mayor R. Narayanaswamy at Lalbagh here on Monday.

Funds

Speaking at the inauguration, R. Srinivas, Minister for Horticulture, said the Government has received Rs. 107 crores from the Union Government under the National Horticulture Mission for organic farming, pre-harvesting and transportation activities.

This was especially targeted at benefiting the small farmers, he said.

Technology

"Israel" technology, which focuses on using the latest technology for better production through less investment, will be introduced on a pilot basis in 10 taluks in the State by next month.

An international organic mela would be held at Lalbagh in November to promote organic farming in the State, Mr. Srinivas said.

He said this year 40 lakh free saplings would be disbursed to farmers. Of these, 11 lakh were cashew saplings.

Nearly 600 new varieties of plants have been introduced at the show this year. Several fruits, flowers, vegetables and horticultural plants with varied quality and vastness are the popular features of the event.

This year's show will comprise potted plants, cut flowers, Ikebana, floral art, Bonsai, vegetable carvings, Dutch flower art, junior arrangement, dry flower arrangement and the new Thai Art arrangements.

Apart from these several stalls displaying saplings, farm products, edible items made from farm produce and other related items were also being sold at the exhibition.