Garima Prasher

Environmentalists are urging authorities to halt plans to cut down nearly 3,700 trees for Bangalore's proposed Orange Line metro. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) seeks permission to remove these trees for elevated structures along Magadi Road. Activists argue the 10-day window for public objections is insufficient and demand a comprehensive consultation process and public access to the Detailed Project Report to protect the city's green cover.

Despite concerns over groundwater overexploitation, Karnataka regulators have approved dozens of new borewells for industries in Harohalli, allowing substantial daily extraction. Over eight years, 58 new borewells were permitted, alongside renewals for 55 existing ones, totaling over 1,200 kilolitres daily. While the law mandates artificial recharge, experts question the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement, citing past non-compliance issues.

Bangalore Apartment Federation (BAF) urges BSWML to extend registration deadline, stating that effective implementation of new rules requires consultation, awareness, training and collaboration

A crucial vulture conservation breeding centre at Bannerghatta Biological Park, built at a cost of Rs 2 crore, faces indefinite delay and potential cancellation. Despite being ready since 2022 and fulfilling all state-level requirements, the project awaits final approval from the Union Environment Ministry. This significant setback jeopardizes India's Action Plan for Vulture Conservation, leaving critically endangered species without a vital safety net.

A new IISc study casts serious doubt on Bengaluru's Namma Metro double-decker plan, revealing it fails crucial economic benchmarks and could hinder sustainable transport goals. The research indicates the project may actually decrease public transport use and increase private vehicle reliance, contradicting Metro's core purpose. Experts highlight significant cost overruns and environmental concerns, urging a re-evaluation of the ambitious proposal.

Despite electric buses, road upgrades, and waste tracking systems, experts caution that NCAP funds risk diversion, leaving critical gaps in monitoring, forecasting, and targeted pollution control measures

Bengaluru's ambitious 15 lakh sapling drive, aimed at a world record, faces sharp criticism for monoculture planting and inadequate spacing. Experts decry the focus on numbers over ecological restoration, citing concerns about sapling quality and shallow pits. The BDA acknowledges shortcomings due to overwhelming public participation and promises corrective actions by July 15, including addressing monoculture issues and ensuring sapling survival.

Officials credit stricter compliance measures and outreach efforts for record installations, while experts urge scientific evaluation of better groundwater recharge and flood mitigation outcomes

Ecologists add that the benefits of riparian vegetation extend well beyond nutrient absorption. By shading rivers, the vegetation helps regulate water temperature, allowing water to retain higher levels of dissolved oxygen essential for fish and other aquatic organisms.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), dissolved oxygen in surface waters should ideally be 5 mg per liter or higher for bathing waters and at least 4 mg/L to support aquatic life. An oxygen level below 2mg per liter is considered extremely poor, making water bodies susceptible to dead zones where most aquatic life cannot survive.