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What next with Nallur Tamarind Grove, Indias first Biodiversity Heritage Site


23rd April 2023


Chief Secretary

GoK

Vidhana Souda

Bangalore


Dear Madam:


Sub: Preservation and protection of the 400 old Nallur Tamarind Grove, Temple & Environs


The first site to be declared a National Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority in 2007, it is a great pride for us in Karnataka. However, despite the efforts of several in the biodiversity committees, forestry et cetera nothing significant has been done and very little budget has been expended on protecting (even fencing, de-weeding ) this iconic and historic site from erosion, vandalism and issues. Being in the highly aspirational area of the Bangalore airport in Devanahalli to look, it has huge tourism potential as well, but the concerns regarding an industrial estate coming up close by is certainly going to damage the green as well as the water levels of this site.


We at Heritage Beku request that a strong committee be formed under the Chief Secretary & Biodiversity Board to focus on this and allot specific funds necessary for the proper upkeep and preservation of this rich ecological treasure. We need to also focus on the additional layers of the Temple and Fort which are so integral to this legacy. An integrated group with a budget needs to be quickly put together before we see an erosion of another magnificent & ancient heritage site that our state could be truly proud of.


We would be glad to offer any thoughts, ideation, or support to ensure that citizens can be made a part of this critical preservation. As an annexure we have also added the suggestions of Prof Githa U Badikillaya who researched extensively on this. We look forward to hearing from you and moving ahead to ensure that Jewel that is our Nallur Tamarind Grove, continues to shine.


Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,


Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Heritage Beku

CC: Chair, Karnataka Biodiversity Board

CC Dept of Forests

CC: Dept of Tourism

Links :


Dr Githa U Badikillaya’s inputs :


Its 53.2 acres with 297 tamarind trees of which 47 are heritage trees. Tamarind trees survive.

long when there is no human intervention.


1- First survey the extent of the land by drones as i am told that nearly 40% of land is

encroached by the villagers themselves. A drone exercise was done and found encroachments. This the revenue dept should do.

2- Immediately fencing the area will be expensive . To rope in Corporates as CSR and by

the forest dept and bio diversity board.

3- Removal of overgrowth and clearing debris

4- There is unchecked grazing, if continued it will lead to Sahara situation.

5- intermingling with the trees are medicinal shrubs- Abutilon Indicum that has to be

preserved. the leaves soothe the alimentary canal, brings down fever, as a laxative, removes

mucous secretion from bronchial tubes, chronic inflammation of urethra and urinary bladder,

Rota are used as nerve tonic. leaves are cooked. They are mistaken for weeds

6-A 75-year-old Kote Kempanna underpaid lone watchman (175₹ per month, when i met him

10 years ago.) takes care of the area erratically.

7-earlier the villagers were taking care and protecting the area and trees in a systematic

manner. for 9 years 20 trees have been cut and sold to contractors by the dept? There was an

affinity between the grove and the villagers that’s missing now.

8-Trees to be Grated,

9- Walking paths to be demarcated

10- No arrangement for toilet and parking facilities.

11- A entrance fee of 70 ₹ to be charged for generating funds for upkeep.

12- Route maps and signboards enroute and at Devanahalli and at airport.

13- Documenting and archiving needed (nearby Agri univ students)

14 Formation of Village Committee as people made care takers take better care of the

property than the govt agencies put together.

15- State archaeology to take over the temple.

16. Can be a repository for original tamarind gene pool. (Has agriculture scientists done

something in this regard?)

17- To involve school and college students and train them to appreciate and preserve this

heritage.

18- Utility of the medicinal plant to be brought to the notice of the villagers who are unaware.


(As suggested by Der. Githa U Badikillaya, Member , Heritage Beku, and Founder Trustee, Destination Heritage)


 

Links :

Reviving the Roerich Estate - a valuable legacy

21 April 2023


The Chief Secretary

Govt of Karnataka & Chair, Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Board

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore


Dear Madam:


Sub: Heritage focus and appropriate action and direction for the historic Roerich estate


We at Heritage Beku are concerned re the future and preservation of the Roerich estate. There have been no clear plans and proper protection and showcasing of this incredible historic and build our site on Bangalore’s outskirts. We are concerned that there have been many varied discussions including converting this into a film city and using it for other commercial purposes. The estate represents not only great historic merit, in a place for both arts films as well as an incredible treasure trove of nature and forestry. We must make all attempts to preserve and promote this beautiful space and avoid any degradation, disuse and loss of habitat and heritage. Already the lake, fauna & fauna are under pollution and threat.


In 2020 the Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) has urged the State government to declare sprawling 467.53-acre Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate situated in southern part of Bengaluru as a "Biodiversity Heritage Site" under the Biodiversity Act 2002. It would be important to understand the status of this request.


From Heritage Beku, we request the government please take cognizance and include us in the discussion of how the Roerich Estate can be dealt with, properly preserved, and be appreciated and loved not only today but for a future generation.


We look forward to your action and response.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely.


Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Founder



New Basaveswara Circle Plans (Now on Hold)

Among the many Road Junctions that have been earmarked for improvement, the Basaveswara Junction opposite Hotel Chalukya is the first on the list, given the upcoming inauguration of the Basaveswara statue .

Not only those in the immediate vicinity, but the community, those in the broader east zone and road users have come together to provide meaningful suggestions and inputs on this, so that this historical structure is something which will not only be functional, aesthetic but also something we can look back at in the future as something that was a collective, collaborative city treasure.

At the Mayor’s suggestion, an informal meeting (in fact using a car bonnet as a table!) was held on 22nd February with the architect Rakesh Kadoth and designer Ms Madhu clarifying the group’s concerns and doubts, while explaining the concept via PowerPoint to us. Traffic flow and pedestrian use is critical. High Grounds Police Traffic Inspector Basavaraja Teli also came in to understand the community point of view, traffic flow especially from experts like Raj Dugar, Sonal Kulkarni, Ajay Tandon etc. of Citizens for Citizens (C4C) who have already spent time on this. #HeritageBeku representative Priya Chetty-Rajagopal also gave her inputs on the design and spatial contiguity while High Point Building representatives were comfortable about their high rise building being requisitioned as an aesthetic backdrop for the new circle.

Aesthetics are important and we appreciated the attention to detail & heritage flavour on the pillars and murals, However the work already done behind the statue by the previous administration needs a relook. this needs to be integrated into the broader zone and look & feel as well.

The basic need to not look at Chalukya Junction in isolation vis-à-vis Traffic has been highlighted adequately with Pictures, Diagrams and Videos by Team C4C, since High Grounds Junction which is just 180m away has a direct impact on Basaveswara Junction. With improvements at High Grounds Junction for better traffic flow, the effect in the area will be to reduce the traffic congestion and pollution, which is what is most needed in Namma Bengaluru everywhere. Several edits to the Traffic Flow plan at Basaveswara Junction presented by the Architects have also been suggested so as to improve traffic flow. One must remember that massive traffic flows through these 2 junctions on account of nearby Vidhana Soudha as well as this being a major route to reach the Airport.

All these ideas and concerns before the meeting were pooled in by creating a whatsapp group, and shared with the informal team. ( Please refer the Annexure).

However there has been a long silence after that and we are deeply concerned that the plans for the circle might not incorporate or use the community ideas even at that later time. Hence before the design is finalized, tender is released and any further steps are taken, we earnestly request the primary stakeholders namely the Hon Mayor, the concerned Chief Engineer at BBMP, The DCP traffic and PWD (as required) to set up a meeting to share the progress and plans for the circle before any further steps are taken. We are confident that this idea and plan will reflect a truly community spirit and strong functionality if it is properly actioned . We also request our honorable MP (Bengaluru Central) Mr. PC Mohan and our local MLA Mr. Rizwan Arshad to provide their overview and guidance, given the heritage and strongly cultural aspects of this visible & venerable Basaveswara Circle.

We look forward to hearing on this and next steps on the Circle plans

Heritage Beku

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