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Tree Plantation Campaign at Kaggadasapura

Kaggadasapura is often referred to as a Concrete Jungle even by the residents of Kaggadasapura. One of the main goals of the Kaggadasapura Residents Welfare Association is to change the scenario by planting lots of trees in the limited space available.

Tree Plantation Campaign kicks off at Kaggadasapura

Tree Plantation at 26th cross Kaggadasapura

So, on 28 June 2009, when Mr R.Raj (PP Rotary Club Bangalore Downtown) of 29th Cross proposed to me that we can start tree plantation with the help of Rotary Club, I straight away agreed and the next day myself, Mr Navin Bakshi of Sharada Manor Apartments and Mrs Uma Bose (Patanjali Yoga teacher) were roaming on the Cross roads of Kaggadasapura searching for locations to plant the saplings. As we had very less time at our disposal (Rotary Clubs start tree plantation on July 1 every year) we decided to first plant in our locality. Next day Rtn Jaisimha – President, Mrs Tejaswini Jaisimha, Rtn Narayana Reddy – Secretary, PP Rtn R Raj, PP Rtn Janardhan Reddy, Rtn Mahendar Raj, Rtn Devadasan and Rtn Jacob from Rotary Club Bangalore Downtown came with the plants and we started tree plantation from Sharda Manor at 26th Cross. Mr Jayakumar from Sharada Manor is another volunteer in the tree plantation campaign who supported us by giving crowbars and participating actively in digging pits and approaching the residents. We planted 20 honge saplings on 26th and 29th Crosses. Mrs Kamala, Mrs Anusha and Mrs Madhusmita from Art of Living Kaggadasapura were very enthusiastic and joined us in the tree plantation campaign.

Kids and Volunteers getting ready for tree plantation at 26th cross

We again planned to have tree plantation on 5th July (Sunday). This time we had enough time to dig more pits, approach more apartments and spread the news through our website. Dimple Das from 22nd cross and Swarnali from Harsha Pride Apartments wanted to have saplings planted on their roads. With children from yoga class of Mrs Uma Bose accompanied by her we planted around 45 honge saplings on Harsha Pride Apartments, Ram Nisarga apartments and 22nd to 29th crosses. We also encouraged kids from the nearby apartments to plant the trees and they promised to take care of the saplings. Shreeja aged 6 years studying in NCFE came with her parents from Nagvarpalya to take part in the tree plantation campaign. Miss Aditi aged 4 years also came with her father from Krishnappa Garden (behind Bagmane Tech Park) and planted saplings with great enthusiasm. Mr Raj distributed Biscuits, Chocolates and Mineral Water for the Kids. We decided to keep planting trees every Sunday with kids participating very actively on our mission to make Kaggadasapura Go Green.

Shreeja with her parents planting a sapling at 22nd cross

Varun with his mother plant a sapling at 1st cross

Mr Soundar from Motherland Apartments and Mr Navin Bakshi from Sharada Manor Apartments volunteered to dig pits on 1st Cross for planting trees on 12th July (Sunday). Mr Raj who sponsored the plants brought the saplings on his car and we planted 24 honge saplings on 1st cross. We went without any kids for the plantation but parents who were watching our tree plantation from their apartments came with their kids and got them involved in the campaign. It was heartening to see many ladies with their kids join us when we planted trees in all the side roads of 1st Cross Kaggadasapura. Nearly 30 kids from the slum in 1st cross joined us and were very eager to dig pits and place stones around the plants etc. Shreeja was present again with her parents. We came to know that she got appreciation from her teachers at NCFE when she informed them of her having planted trees. She now waits eagerly for Sundays to plant trees. Mrs Kamala brought her son Naren who was also very enthusiastic and always want to hold a sapling on his hand. He planted many saplings and even carried one and got it planted in his apartment Samhita Crescent. I came to know that he waters the plant before going to school and while coming back from school he brings water on his water bottle and waters the plant before entering the flat. Mr Abishek from Anugraha Enclave Apartments helped a lot in digging pits and watering the plants.

Aishwarya, Sneha and Nayana planting a sapling at 7th A cross

Mr Raj and Mr Soundar planting a sapling at 7th A cross

Kids plant saplings at 4th B cross Abbaiah Reddy Layout

We did not plant any saplings on 19th and 26th (Sundays) as there was no rain and also due to other commitments. Again we planned for 2nd August. Mrs Anita from Abbaiah Reddy Layout and Mr Ilavarasu and Mr Murugan from 7th A Cross contacted me by mail and wanted saplings for their crosses. Mr Soundar sponsored 40 honge saplings. Mr Soundar, Mr Sudarshan from Keerthi Riviera, Mr Abishek, Mr Murugan from Galaxy Enclave Apartments, Mr Ilavarasu, Mr Jayaram from Mithra Jyothi School, Mr Arul Jyoti from Vignan Nagar and Mr Sreekumar from DRDO made it happen this time. Taking time out of their busy schedules they worked so hard and were more than happy in seeing Kaggadasapura going green. Daughters of Mr Ilavarasu, Mr Murugan and Mr Sreekumar were very active and busy planting trees. Mr Jayashankar of Anugraha Classic Apartments is a nature lover got seven saplings planted all around his apartments. Then we went to Abbaiah Reddy Layout 4th B Cross and planted six saplings with the help of Mr Arumugam, Mr Karthik and his wife Mrs Anitha and the kids in the nearby apartments were very happy to plant saplings.

Volunteers with Go Green Kaggadasapura Banner

Lady volunteer planting a sapling at 6th A cross

This Sunday (09 Aug 2009) we had planned to have tree plantation on 6th A Cross Kaggadasapura. Myself, Mr Ilavarasu, Mr Murugan, Mr Jayaram and Mr Abhishek went and dug the pits early in the morning. At 9:00 am Mr Raj, Mr Jayakumar, Mrs Uma Bose and her yoga students participated with great enthusiasm. Residents of this cross were very eager to know more about tree plantation campaign and very co-operative and promised to take care of the saplings. After tree plantation Mr Raj sponsored fruit juice and snacks to all the participants. So, we had another fun filled day of planting trees at Kaggadasapura.

With every passing day we are getting more requests for planting trees in their roads from residents of Kaggadasapura. We need more sponsors for the saplings and need more volunteers to participate actively in the campaign to protect nature and make Kaggadasapura go Green.

For complete set of Tree Plantation Campaign photos see Photo Gallery

To be continued…….