BANGALORE: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda inaugurated the first urban tree park located in Turahalli, on the outskirts of the city. The urban park, Turahalli mini forest, spread across 597 acres, is an initiative of the Forest Department on Wednesday. “Only 19 per cent of the state is forest area. At this stage, we have to avoid loss of green cover,” said Gowda. 11 such urban parks have been planned in various districts, and 4 of them will be in Bangalore. The remaining urban tree projects are planned at J B Kaval Block, Sulikere and Kambaranahalli forest areas. The CM warned that if urbanization continues at this pace, the city will no longer be habitable. “This park is an attempt to preserve the environment. If not, we will head towards destruction,” the chief minister said.This initiative is part of the government’s afforestation plan for the year 2011-12 that will see 29 urban parks in every district in the state at a proposed cost of Rs. 500 lakh. Range Forest Officer Shivramaiah told Express that the park is a long-term project. “It is a 5-year plan. The minor forest will be ready in about 3 years,” he said.
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