Saplings planted at rain-hit sites on Environment Day to restore lost green cover

On the occasion of World Environment Day, over 60 students from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) High School, Byrasandra, joined hands with volunteers from civic group Bhandhava to plant saplings at sites where massive trees were uprooted during recent heavy rains. The initiative aimed not only to spread awareness but also to actively restore Bengaluru’s lost urban canopy.

The plantation drive took place near the Byrasandra Swimming Pool and extended across 16 identified locations in the ward; each previously home to mature trees that fell during the storm. Volunteers from Bhandhava presented saplings to all participating students and have committed to nurturing the newly planted trees over the coming months.

Our goal is to replace every tree lost in the rain, said N. Nagaraj, a Bhandhava representative. We were heartbroken when we saw such large trees fall. Today, we’ve begun making up for that loss by planting saplings at the same spots. The responsibility of caring for them lies with our team. In addition to the plantation effort, Bhandhava has been actively working to keep Byrasandra and nearby areas free of garbage and plastic waste.

The sapling drive comes in the wake of intense rainfall that battered Bengaluru in recent weeks, toppling several old trees across the city. In Byrasandra alone, 16 large trees were lost to the storm. The Environment Day effort led by BBMP students and Bhandhava volunteers serves as a symbolic and practical act of regeneration. Initiatives like this are critical, said one resident. BBMP and citizen groups must ensure every lost tree is replaced, not just with a sapling; but with long-term care.