In a bid to protect the trees of the city, a group of environmental enthusiasts in Bengaluru have launched an amazing initiative – the ‘Cool Tree Campaign’. Started by a group of environmentalists called Bengaluru Hudugaru, this campaign aims to preserve the trees in the IT capital of India. Every Sunday, this group goes around a locality in the city and applies a protective white coating to the trees there. This helps increase the lifespan of the trees and improve their overall health. Scroll on to learn more about it.
‘Cool Tree Campaign’ To Protect Trees In Bengaluru
Today we had a wonderful Cool Tree Campaign at Shantala Nagar, #HockeyStadium on #RheniusStreet . Around 58 #Trees were pasted with chemical which protects from scorching heat of #sun & protection from #Termites#cooltreecampaign 4
Thanks to dear Prethish sir & team for joining🤝 pic.twitter.com/3ir9Rldt80— Bengaluru Hudugaru ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹುಡುಗರು (@BengaluruHudgru) April 28, 2024
Bengaluru Hudugaru is a group of environmental enthusiasts on a mission to save trees in Bengaluru. For the last few weeks, a team of 20 to 30 people carried out a tree-protection drive every Sunday in different localities of Bengaluru. During the drive, they apply a concoction of chemicals on the trees with the help of a brush. This chemical mix can help increase the longevity of the tree and protect it against sun damage.
This chemical concoction is made by mixing several chemicals. These include chemicals like Befenthrin, Malathion or Organophosphate, neem oil, white powder, and wheat flour, ensuring adhesion. This solution has been suggested to the group by a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) forest range officer.
Talking about the ‘Cool Tree Campaign’, Vinod Kartavya, founder of Bengaluru Hudugaru mentioned that heat, lack of water, and termite infection are some of the biggest problems faced by the trees in Bengaluru. To avoid termite infection and in turn, stop them from taking away the available moisture from the trees, the group decided to apply the protective chemical layer. Bengaluru Hudugaru believes that this will help improve the trees’ health and increase their longevity.
Also Read: Swiggy Pays ₹5000 Compensation To Bengaluru Man For Not Delivering ‘Death By Chocolate’
Why Are The Trees In Bengaluru In Danger?
If you thought that the lack of water and rising temperatures in Bengaluru only impact people, you couldn’t be more wrong. The heat and water shortage affects trees, leading to termite infestations and stunted growth.
Due to excessive heat, the water fails to reach the branches and evaporates from the stems. Termite infection makes this worse as they start to feed off the available moisture in the tree. This leads to rotting and early decay of the trees. In fact, according to Bengaluru Hudugaru, it can reduce the lifespan of trees by 30-35 years! The white chemical that they apply as part of the ‘Cool Tree Campaign’ helps reduce this termite infestation and therefore, improves the tree’s life.
The best part is that people from all walks of life are seen working together in these drives. So far, they have completed drives in areas like Yelahanka, Indiranagar, Nagarabhavi, and Shanthala Nagar. They have coated more than 200 trees in these areas!
Not all heroes wear capes, some just carry around a brush to protect the trees in the city! Kudos to Bengaluru Hudugaru for coming up with this initiative and doing such amazing work! What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@BengaluruHudgru
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.