By Commodore SR Sridhar (Retd)

In 1981, I was studying PUC at Vivekananda College in Rajaji Nagar, during a time when Bangalore truly lived up to its title as the “Garden City.” The city was adorned with lush green trees, vibrant gardens, and serene brimming lakes. However, this was also a period of rapid urban development. Areas like RT Nagar, Koramangala, JP Nagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Vijayanagar, and Vyalikaval—known for its narrow lanes—were just beginning to take shape.

Unfortunately, this expansion came at the cost of numerous trees being felled. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had recently been established, while the Bangalore Municipal Corporation (BMP) primarily managed the city’s affairs.

Fully aware of the looming threat of Bangalore losing its cherished “Garden City” tag, the Government of the day launched an ambitious tree-planting drive. It is said that during this period, over a lakh trees were planted annually, lining the roads of newly developed layouts as well as the iconic thoroughfares of the city. Grand old roads like MG Road, Residency Road, and Cubbon Road, along with the verdant expanses of Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park, were all enriched with fresh greenery, a testament to the city’s enduring love for nature.

The corporation authorities, along with voluntary organizations, would plant trees under the cover of night, leaving citizens pleasantly surprised the next morning by the sight of tall saplings, carefully protected with bamboo fences to keep them safe from cattle. Residents quickly embraced these saplings as their own, proudly watering and nurturing them. Meanwhile, the care of trees along major roads was taken up by prominent industries of the time, such as BEL, HAL and HMT, as well as other thriving business entities of the 1980s. As part of our college NSS activities, I vividly recall planting trees along Sankey Tank Road—primarily Gulmohar, Jacaranda, and Trumpet trees. The vibrant bursts of orange, purple, and pink blooms that grace the road every March stand as a living testament to those efforts. The urban planners wisely chose to plant flowering trees instead of fruit-bearing ones, recognizing that flowering trees would enhance the surroundings without attracting stone-throwers attempting to steal fruits.

Fast forward to 2025; before predicting doomsday, let’s consider the numbers. The Metro rail projects and road widening in Bengaluru have cost around 30,000 trees, a fraction of the 15 lakh tree that may have been originally planted in the 80s. Even doubling that loss leaves a significant green cover of 45-year-old trees with large girths that bloom today. The key now is to preserve, and protect them even to remember that Bengaluru was once Bangalore the Garden City. But, pause and walk along these roads to see in March or April, the city transforms into a canvas of pink, gold, and purple; an enchanting sight that feels like a poetic dance: –

For the Pink Trumpet, wander through Cubbon Park, where pink-laden trees create a magical path till dark, Beneath pink-laden trees, take a walk or a ride, as petals fall gently, your heart opens wide. or visit Lalbagh, home to Tabebuia and other blooms.

Residency Road and MG Road form pink canopies bright, while KR Circle and Cubbon Road offer hidden delight.The Golden Trumpet lights up JP Nagar and Jayanagar, turns Sankey Tank Road into a golden avenue, and adorns highways like Hebbal Flyover and the Outer Ring Road.

For the Jacaranda’s purple splendor, head to Lalbagh’s West Gate In Malleswaram and Sadashivanagar’s embrace, Purple-lined streets exude timeless grace.
Bengaluru, a city where nature paints its masterpiece despite the urban malaise.

(The author is Registrar, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore.)