Turahalli forest spared for now as works begin on adjoining park

The entry to the mega tree park at Turahalli Forest in South Bengaluru. Credit: DH Photo

A view of the surrounding area around the Tree Park at Turahalli. Credit: DH Photo

The state government seems to have dropped its plans of creating a 'Tree Park' in the Turahalli Reserve Forest that had triggered protests from residents in and around Kanakapura Road.

In a sign of the government backing off, forest officials have set in motion the process to build a children's park, an open-air gymnasium and an RO water unit on the already existing ‘Tree Park’ adjoining the reserve forest.

Karnataka Forest Department officials have floated tenders for the three infrastructural works to develop the existing tree park instead of building a new one, which protesting citizens had also proposed.

Officials in the Bengaluru Urban Forest Department confirmed to DH about the planned works.

“All the three works will be implemented inside the mega tree park that has already been raised on 40 acres of land recovered from encroachers," an officer said.

"While the water unit will be set up near the entrance, children's park and open-air gymnasium will come up near the eucalyptus grove in the north-western corner of the tree park."

The projects are estimated to cost Rs 25 lakh and likely to be completed in a couple of months.

“Children's park along with playing equipment will be set up at a cost of Rs 14 lakh," the officer said. The open-air gymnasium and the RO unit will cost Rs 8 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively, the officer added.

The children's park will have a sprawling sandpit and playing equipment. All around the children's park, informative signboards about the flora and fauna of Turahalli and its geological significance will be installed.

In the last 4 to 5 years, the forest department planted over 3,000 plants and successfully nurtured them. A 4 km jogger and walking path covering the entire park is already a hit among the locals, and the pergolas perched atop the hillock offer a magnificent view of the surrounding area.