BENGALURU
The Karnataka government has launched a massive tree-planting movement to turn the tech hub green and reduce rising urban heat. Named “Bengaluru Hasirooru,” this month-long campaign runs from August 15 to September 15. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced that the city plans to plant 64,000 saplings and give away 40,000 directly to local citizens.
Unlike past efforts that remained mostly on paper, this new drive strictly focuses on real survival, nurturing, and long-term care. The government has allocated ₹9.64 crore to plant and maintain these saplings over three full years. Officials must plant strong, six-foot-tall native trees like Neem, Jamun, Mahogany, and Honge with proper spacing.
To make the effort succeed, leaders are asking citizens and Resident Welfare Associations to join. Groups with space for at least 30 trees can apply online by August 10 to get free government planting services.
Every sapling will be tracked using smart geo-location tools, allowing the public to monitor progress online. Additionally, any agency cutting a tree for development projects must pay to plant ten new saplings in return. Priority will go to residential neighbourhoods before expanding to roadsides, lakes, and public parks. With active public support, state leaders hope this green mission will combat pollution, lower city temperatures, improve local air quality, and restore Bengaluru’s famous garden charm for generations to come. Payments to contractors will depend entirely on sapling survival rates, ensuring complete accountability, transparency, and real results.