14/10/2025
Panel discussion
Urban conflict: Exotic & Native Plants in Bangalore.
18 October 2025 11.30 AM to 01 PM
Moderator: Suresh Jayaram
Panellist:
Dr Jobin Varughese,
Lina Vincent
Soubadra Devy
Bangalore, often referred to as the “Garden City” of India, has a fascinating story to tell through its diverse array of trees and plants.
Long before rapid urban growth transformed the city, its landscape was home to native species that had adapted to the region’s climate.
Trees like neem, peepal, and banyan not only provided shade and resilience but also played a central role in community life. Many of them are still found around neighbourhood temples and shrines, showing how deeply nature is woven into the city’s traditions and everyday life.
The introduction of exotic plants began centuries ago and gathered pace during the time of Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and later under British rule.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, founded in the 18th century, became a place where plants from all over the world were brought, studied, and grown — from African baobabs to South American jacarandas.
Under colonial supervision, both Lalbagh and Cubbon Park became spaces to showcase foreign species.
Over time, many of these plants, such as tabebuia, rain trees, and eucalyptus, have become integral to Bangalore’s identity.
Today, the city’s greenery is a vibrant mix of native and exotic plants, each telling a part of Bangalore’s story. This blend makes the city beautiful, but it also raises important questions: How do these plants impact local biodiversity? What role should they play in a rapidly growing urban landscape? And how can we plan for a greener, more sustainable future? This discussion invites you to explore these questions and consider how the plants around us shape not only our environment, but also our sense of place and belonging in the “Garden City.”
