Bangalore’s Lalbagh is raising its own ‘Mini Western Ghats’

Lalbagh Botanical Garden is one of the prime attractions in Bengaluru. The place is once again in the news for a very good reason! Lalbagh Botanical Garden will soon have its own version of mini Western Ghats.

On August 1, 240 saplings of 132 species were planted here from the Western Ghats. The new block is being built right behind the Lalbagh rock on the south gate side with an aim to raise a forest patch similar to the Western Ghats. Also known as the Sahyadri, Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot.
As per reports, in coming months, more plants will be added here. Also, this new block will open to the public in the coming three-four years. These plants are brought here from seven districts in Karnataka which come under the Western Ghats region. These plants are a combination of endemic, rare, endangered and threatened species.
M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture (Lalbagh), said that they want to conserve and propagate these species. The project is also part of the efforts to introduce new species to the 240-acre botanical garden. As of now, the garden is already home to 2350 species and some of the trees here are older than 200 years old.

Jagadeesh also added, “We will operate them intermittently every day to simulate rain conditions and a humid environment (of the Western Ghats)”.
There’s also a borewell being dug up for the irrigation purpose. Per species, there will be three saplings. Among all the plants planted here, 39 are rare and 22 are endemic. Some of these include, Rama patre, Mullu sampige, Murugana huli, Uppaage mara, Saalu dhoopa and Kiralbhogi, among others.

1. What's the address of Lalbagh Botanical Garden?
   Lalbagh Road, Wilson Garden, Near BMTC Office, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560004
2. What's the entry fee?
   Entry fee of INR 10 is charged for adults and for children below 12 years of age, there is no entry fee.
3. When are the famous flower shows held here?
   The garden hosts two flower shows, one on Republic Day (26 January) and the other on Independence Day (15 August).