Updated on: 20 Jul 2026
BENGALURU: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to ensure that the city’s tree plantation drive is implemented effectively and does not remain merely a “paper exercise.” He stressed that saplings must not only be planted but also properly protected and nurtured to ensure their survival.
Addressing a meeting of the GBA Forest Division on the city’s tree plantation programme, the minister said the civic body has planned to plant 64,000 saplings and distribute 40,000 saplings to citizens during the current year. He instructed officials to complete all necessary preparations for the initiative.
Krishna Byre Gowda observed that there has been inadequate documentation and monitoring of trees planted in previous years. He directed officials to prevent such lapses in the future, stating that planting and maintaining a large number of trees would help reduce rising temperatures and air pollution while improving the city’s beauty and environment. He said the plantation drive would be carried out with public participation under the Public-Private Planting Programme (PPPP).
The minister said tree plantation is essential for Bengaluru’s future and survival and should be implemented on the ground rather than remaining confined to records. He added that poor-quality saplings would not be planted this year, and only quality tree species such as Mahogany, Tabebuia Rosea, Honge, Neem, and Jamun would be used.
Priority will be given to planting saplings in residential layouts with public participation. After fulfilling the requirements in layouts, the remaining saplings will be planted in public places, along roadsides, around lakes, and in parks. He instructed that pits should be dug according to prescribed norms and six-foot-tall saplings should be planted at intervals of 12 feet. He said community participation would significantly improve the survival and growth of the trees.
The minister announced that Rs 9.64 crore has been allocated in the budgets of five city corporations for planting 64,000 saplings, including their maintenance for three years. Funds will be released based on the successful planting and maintenance of the saplings.
Residents of layouts, Residents’ Welfare Associations, and citizens with space to plant at least 30 saplings in their localities can submit applications by August 10 through the BBMP website https://gbatreeplantation.com/ or by email at dcfgba26@gmail.com. Based on the applications received, forest officials will inspect the locations, and if found suitable, the civic body will undertake the plantation.
The city will observe the “Bengaluru Hasiruru Abhiyan” for one month from August 15 to September 15. Officials have been instructed to complete the tender process for the plantation programme in the respective city corporations at the earliest.
A tracking system is being introduced for all saplings planted this year. Information on the location and number of saplings planted across the city, along with their geo-location details, will be made available on the civic body’s website for public access.
In addition to planting 64,000 saplings, the civic body has reserved 40,000 saplings for distribution to citizens upon request. Saplings will be distributed according to the number of applications received, while the remaining saplings will be planted and maintained in public spaces.
The minister also stated that during development works undertaken by the civic body, Metro, and other departments, the cost of planting 10 saplings for every tree felled must be paid to the Forest Department before tree cutting is permitted. These compensatory plantations have also been included in this year’s target.
The meeting was attended by Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, Special Commissioner Sushma Godbole, Commissioners Pommal Sunil Kumar and G. Jagadish, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited CEO Kareegowda, Additional Commissioners Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar and Naveen Kumar Raju, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sudarshan, and officials from various departments.
