From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, June 14: An ambitious programme of planting 2 lakh sapplings in different parts of the city by school children as part of the “Brand Bengaluru, Green Bengaluru” programme was launched by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Friday.

Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, launched the programme at Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park as part of World Environment Day.

“School children had planted 52,000 saplings last year, This year, more schools and larger number of school children are enrolled in the programme,” he said emphasizing the need for planting more saplings and trees to improve the greenery as well as boost monsoon.

“Saplings grow into trees, trees lead to good rains, which in turn gives us water that is essential of our survival,” he said asking the children to not only plant saplings but also take care of them.

Shivakumar said Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru, may not have imagined the phenomenal growth of the city which has become a centre for education, health, industries and several other sectors.

“It is now the responsibility of all of us, especially the younger generation, to ensure greening of Bengaluru,” he said pointing out that the temperature of Bengaluru had never crossed 28 degree Celsius but it has now touched 36 degrees.

The deputy chief minister reminded the children and the people of the dangers of failure of monsoon and the plight of Karnataka, which faced drought in as many as 200 taluks.

Congress MLA Rizvan Arshad, BBMP Administrator Umashankar and chief commissioner Tushar Girinath and other senior officials attended the programme.