Community garden on 18th Cross

It’s an encroachment of public space for a private farm, protest some residents

By YOGITA D

The median park on 18th Cross diagonally opposite The Punjabi Rasoi restaurant is now playing host to a community garden. An initiative by the HSR Citizen Forum led by Shanthi Tummala, the idea is to give the residents a first-hand experience of how to grow an organic garden in a green public space that was earlier being used for nothing. “Composting is the first step to urban farming and we would like to encourage residents to grow their own vegetables,” says Shanthi. “Since many struggle with the lack of space, we have identified and both the MLA and corporator have graciously agreed to let us use a stretch of common land for a Community Garden.”

There are 80 patches in the community garden that are being allocated to HSR residents on a first-come-first-served basis to grow their vegetables and herbs. “So far, 40 registrations have already come-in for the patches,” says member Smita Kulkarni. “The patches are ploughed, marked and ready for growing.” The inauguration happened on December 12 in the presence of MLA Satish Reddy and corporator Gurumurthy Reddy.

But not all the residents are happy. They believe this is an encroachment and even the corporation cannot allow public property to be used for growing vegetables and taking them home. “The BBMP has announced that it will go in for decentralised processing of garbage, so they cannot stop us because the compost that is produced through the lane composters that we have launched on a pilot basis in HSR this month, will not be bought by BBMP. However, that compost can be used at this community garden,” says Shanthi.

Some residents believe that this attempt at community gardening where the residents take care of all the expenses is unlike tree plantation where someone sponsors the saplings. “It’s not volunteer work and actually involves money. And it’s under a high tension wire that could impact man and plants,” reasons resident Kamesh Rastogi.

Another resident Rajesh Kumar says public spaces are being converted to private spaces and this is another example. “Are there any written agreements between the authorities and the people who run these establishments?”

The argument continues.