BENGALURU: The BBMP budget has earmarked a significant 15 per cent of the total outlay for horticulture, urban forestry, environment and lakes. The allocation of `1397.59 crore is the highest for these sectors in recent years.
On the face of it, this might sound like great news. However, environmentalist Dr Yellappa Reddy, whose report was incorporated to prepare this budget, reckons that in the light of the current situation, specific measures and their proper implementation, and not promises, is the need of the hour.
Cancellation of the steel flyover and soaring temperatures might have led the government to come up with a slew of green initiatives, which include planting of 10 lakh saplings, implementation of the 2002 Yellappa Reddy report and increased citizen participation in maintenance of trees and lakes.
However, the fact that it took 15 years to take up the report after its submission raises more questions.
Mobile app for saplings
A mobile app will be developed by which citizens can request for saplings and maintain them.