As a direct result of Eco-watch's initiatives, Bangalore is about to get its newest lung-space. Declining tree-growth in Bangalore is leading to wide-spread concern. Eco-watch, a city-based NGO is zealously working towards this cause and has already got the endorsement from the state government to develop the largest urban forest in India, within Bangalore.

This forest, to be developed on either side of the inner ring road, off Airport Road, will occupy 400 acres of prime space, which has been granted by the Army Supply Corps (ASC). When Eco-watch approached the highest officer in ASC, Bangalore, Lt Col Lalith Kumar Bhatia, he was very receptive and took up the idea to higher authorities in New Delhi, after which it was approved. In fact, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, S M Krishna, has also readily agreed to the idea and has promised any kind of help which Eco-watch may require.

Work on the land has already begun and the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF), has come forward to bear the cost of the saplings and to also provide them with adequate labour for the entire project. The land will not be open for trespassing and vandalism, and they will also make sure that there is no damage from cattle.

Says Mr S V Pandit, Vice-Chairman, Eco-watch, "Flowering trees will beautify the bordering areas. Just after the ring road and in-between them we propose to plant fast-growing trees. At present, the soil is being tested at the Indian Institute of Science in order to make sure that these trees which have been chosen for planting are compatible with the soil."

For the forest to develop into a full-fledged one, it could take a minimum of five years, at the end of which they hope to bring it to one density (in forestry parlance), which means, that's the stage when the sun's rays are not allowed in, and there is dense vegetation in and around the area. Their agenda is to plant 1,80,000 saplings in the next couple of months.

For this mammoth project, Eco-watch welcomes contribution, both in cash and kind.

For more information or to forward your contribution,
contact Mr Pandit at: 529 6149.

(Eco-watch is run by Mr Suresh Heblikar, a committed environmentalist and noted filmmaker and
Mr S V Pandit, Former Deputy Conservator of Forests. Eco-watch is a two-year-old trust, which began by agitating for restoring water tanks in and around Bangalore.)

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