Bangalore has been plagued with setbacks when it comes to urban developmental plans that steer away from the conservation and protection of the natural world. The recurring fires at Bellandur lake, the rapid decrease in water table levels across the city and most recently the plan to build India’s largest steel flyover that would cut down 800 trees are indication that policy has largely been dictated by progress with a sheer neglect for the environment.

However, the grave situation took a sharp turn earlier this month when the government scrapped the steel flyover project, spurred on by the large and sustained protest by the citizens of Bangalore. In what appears to be another step in the right direction, the city has got it’s very first vertical garden, said to hold over 3,500 saplings across 10 different species.

The initiative has been spearheaded by SayTrees, an ever growing community of people whose purpose is to make cities green and clean once more. The first vertical garden has been planted on a pillar of the Hosur Road Electronic City flyover, according to this report. It also goes on to say that “With an automated drip irrigation system installed within the garden, the plants will get their daily dose of 100 milliliters of water.” In their Facebook post, SayTrees has gone on to announce that their plan is to have every pillar of the flyover covered, and have taken the task of regular maintenance upon themselves.

The vertical garden helps reduce heat, clean the air to a degree of pollutants, and creates some sort of ecosystem for small birds and insects, all while beautifying the urban jungle that Bangalore has become. With the support of Bangalore Elevated Tollway Pvt Ltd, we can only hope that the initiative makes it’s way across the city, and rekindling the garden that has been long lost and forgotten in this city.