The grass looks green on every side

BANGALORE: If everything works out as planned, then the first tree park in Turahalli on Kanakapura Road will be inaugurated on August 12. This is part of the Forest Department’s plan to come up with four new tree parks on the lines of Cubbon Park across the city, said G V Sugur, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Development).Speaking to City Express he said, “These parks are aimed at providing the much needed lung space and fresh air for the city dwellers. In addition, the park will also provide eco-education and be a relaxation facility for public.”The total area allotted for the tree park in Turahalli is 597 acres. As per the planned concept, 90 per cent of the park area will be planted with local native species and the rest 10 per cent of the area will be used for public amenities which are theme based. Sugur said, “Gap planting will be taken up with tall seedlings of native fruit yielding, flowering and religious species. For every one hectare of land, 400 plants will be planted.”He said that Pavitra Vanas (sacred groves), theme parks and bio-diversity parks will be developed for environment education along with children’s play area, walking tracks, camping places and other public amenities like bicycle trails.“As a means to harvest water, we have also planned for the provision of soil moisture conservation (SMC). Besides, the area will be provided with chain links compound wall for security purpose,” added Sugur.Eco-friendly featuresThe entire architecture and building materials used are eco-friendly. “Stones, mud, bamboo, wood laterite stones are being used for its construction. Even the parking areas, entry walkways, porches, ticket counters and the canteen inside the park are designed in such a way  that the surroundings match with the exteriors of the structures,” he pointed out.The other three similar tree parks to come up in the city will be in Marasandra (Yelahanka), Kumbaranahalli (Anekal) and Jarkabandi Forest area (around BEL Circle). Meanwhile, a proposal to create similar parks, one for each district has also been put forward, said Sugur.