Bengaluru: Forest minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday inaugurated a 45-acre tree park developed under the Forest Department’s Nagaravana scheme at Panathur village in Varthur hobli on the city’s eastern outskirts.
The park has been developed on a portion of the 145-acre forest department land at Panathur with CSR funding from Qualcomm India Pvt Ltd in association with NGO Satreess. The area has been developed as a green space featuring a variety of trees and plants and providing habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Speaking at the inauguration, Reddy urged Qualcomm to consider developing the remaining 100 acres as well. He said the Forest Department would provide financial assistance wherever required.
Park developed at Rs 4.5 crore
The tree park was developed at a cost of around Rs 4.50 crore through CSR funding. Reddy directed officials to use an additional Rs 1 crore in CSR funds for constructing a compound wall around the park.
He stressed the need to continue increasing the green cover within the park.
Reddy said Bengaluru has a shortage of large public parks apart from Lalbagh and Cubbon Park and that plans were being drawn up to develop similar large parks at four more locations in the city.
Eco trail, open gym and children’s play area
The Panathur tree park has a 2-km eco trail for visitors. A borewell, pump and BESCOM power connection have also been provided.
The park has pergolas and water tanks for visitors, while signboards equipped with QR codes provide information about plants, animals and birds found in the area.
Other facilities include an open gym, children’s play equipment, toilets, a parking area and gazebos.
Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan, Manjula Aravind Limbavali, CCFs Meenakshi Negi, Smitha and Chakrapani, social worker Anupama and senior Forest Department officials attended the inauguration.