They said the road connects Hosakerehalli to other parts of the city, educational institutions and hospitals in the area. However, commuting on the stretch has become a daily hardship for residents due to its appalling state.
According to KFD officials, the new policy will not only create livelihood opportunities for the tribal population, but will also help in using the weed as a resource. “Furniture made from lantana matches cane furniture quality and thus can be a good alternative to cane products. If promoted well, these items will be cost effective too. As part of lantana craft supporting policy, we will look at strengthening our training and marketing strategies. We will also explore online marketing,” added Pushkar.
“A lot of drilling and hammering activities are happening at the site. However, rather than vacuuming the excess dust or sprinkling water, workers are using an air nozzle to blow away the dust before pouring the concrete. The place has become unliveable,” said a resident of an apartment complex near the construction site.
While Bengaluru got its first BMC in 2009, the committee has not been active since 2019 and thus has failed to perform its primary duty of updating the city’s People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR). The document was last prepared and updated in 2010.
Officials say last year’s wet season, followed by this year’s dry conditions, might lead to high fuel availability and thus an increase in the intensity and incidents of forest fires.