Experts urge government to preserve Jakkur airbase as historic green lung, warning against commercial development threatening Bengaluru’s ecology
BENGALURU
Experts and environmental activists have urged that the Jakkur Air Force Training School and Jakkur Air Base should be preserved by complying with the condition imposed by the Maharaja of Mysore. The government should also take steps to protect the ‘green space’ that is essential for the city.
Jakkur air base, located in the northern part of Bengaluru city, which is becoming a concrete jungle of huge buildings, is not just a place for helicopters and small planes to fly, but is like the lungs of the city. The government should look at this 218-acre site with a history of 75 years, not for commercial purposes, but with environmental concerns. Environmental activists are of the opinion that this will become a valuable green-heritage site for the city.
The air base, which was opened in 1948 during the reign of the Maharaja of Mysore, is a testament to the beginning of the history of civil aviation. It is a cultural responsibility to protect a place of historical significance. The Jakkur Lake is also nearby, which is a haven for hundreds of species of birds, small animals and diverse flora in the area. In these days when the temperature of the city is rising, such vast open spaces act as air conditioners. If this is converted into buildings in the name of development, there is a fear that it will cause a big blow to groundwater recharge and upset the ecological balance of the city.
He said that if the Jakkur air base is developed as a ‘living museum’ or ‘heritage garden’, a museum showcasing the history of aviation, a spacious garden for the public and eco-friendly walkways could be built.
Development is not just about tall buildings, but also about preserving our history and greenery. Jakkur airbase should be protected from concrete encroachment and preserved as a green and heritage site for future generations. The government should think in terms of protecting the environment. They can build huge buildings and sports complexes elsewhere. But such a historical place should not be sacrificed for buildings, said AT Ramaswamy, President of the organization We for the Environment.
