BBMP has achieved its goal of planting 1 lakh saplings in Bengaluru

Objective is to establish connection between school children and nature

20% of marks are allocated for adoption and care of saplings for three years

The BBMP, having achieved its goal of planting one lakh saplings in Bengaluru City for 2022-23 as part of its ‘green initiative,’ is now gearing up to launch the ‘Vruksha Rakshaka’ mobile app and website by December 20.

Deputy Conservator of Forest BLG Swamy stated that BBMP successfully planted 50,000 saplings of native tree species across its eight zones. Furthering the commitment, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed the involvement of schoolchildren in planting an additional 50,000 saplings during BBMP’s World Environment Day program.

The objective was to establish a connection between children and nature while also offering academic benefits. About 20 percent of marks are allocated for the adoption and care of saplings for three years near school premises.

Initially, geo-tagging with students’ names and in-charge teachers was done on tree guards. Now, the app ‘Vruksha Rakshaka’ will provide details to track the trees, while a website with the same name will serve as an alternative for students without mobile phone access. These platforms will monitor the status and health of tree saplings and the students who adopted them for three years.

The BBMP forest official emphasized that the municipality will embark on tree enumeration work, a Rs 4 crore project for which tenders have been issued. The technical bid is complete, and the financial bid will soon be opened, leading to the issuance of work orders. Tree enumeration is done every 10 years by BBMP.