GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
Karnataka Govt has declared Bangalore Cantt Railway Colony as Biodiversity Heritage Site. On Wednesday, a govt notification stated that this area of 8.61 acres with almost 371 trees including many heritage trees as a “Biodiversity Heritage Site” that will become an important lung space in the Central Business District of Bengaluru.
Only two persons were against the declaration of Bangalore Cantt Railway Colony as Biodiversity Heritage Site, while a whopping 15,000 people from Bengaluru and other parts of the country supported the resolution moved by the Karnataka Biodiversity Board under the chairmanship of Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre.
An 8.61-acre area of the Bangalore Cantt Railway Colony, consisting of 371 trees of 50 different species, has been declared a biodiversity heritage site, announced Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre in the meeting of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board on Wednesday.
The Forest Minister said that a decision was taken to declare an area of 8.61 acres in Survey No: 1028 and 1047 of the Cantonment Railway Colony, which is famous for its history and is rich in flora, as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. He also said that the 34,843 square foot area in the heart of IT hub of Bengaluru is not only a haven for flora, birdlife, and insect life, but also a vital breathing space for the city of Bengaluru.
The Bangalore Cantt Railway Colony is not only verdant but also has huge trees that have grown for 50-60 years and in fact, so huge that they support many species. This area was leased to a private company by the Railway Land Development Authority for a long period of 60 years with the aim of raising funds for the Bangalore Suburban Railway Project.
Meanwhile, the leased company had sought permission from Tree Officer, BBMP to cut down 368 trees in this verdant area for building a commercial complex. With strong opposition from the local residents, citizens, environmentalists, tree lovers and the public to the destruction of the trees, the state govt declared this railway colony as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
On June 20th, the Forest Minister had visited the place following a public appeal and that the area holds historical significance. He was informed that Mahatma Gandhi had interacted with freedom fighters here in 1920. He said that this area, which is rich in trees, plays a significant role in controlling carbon dioxide emissions and preventing air and noise pollution, and therefore, the public was requested to submit their suggestions and objections regarding its declaration till September 8.
Expressing their gratitude to Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, activists, citizens and campaigners said this is indeed welcome and heartwarming to stop the disappearance of green cover of Bengaluru. “We thank the Minister for this good work and saving the city of Bengaluru from further degradation which has been losing its tree cover rampantly in the last few decades,” added Vijay Nishanth, urban conservationist.