A senior Indian Forest Service officer has warned that Bengaluru is paying the price for rapid tree loss and unchecked concretisation as the city records temperatures above 39°C this summer.
Dipika Bajpai said in a social media post that Bengaluru’s worsening heat is directly linked to large-scale deforestation, concrete roads and the permanent loss of roadside trees.
City once known for cool weather
Bengaluru was long celebrated for its mild climate, shaded roads and garden-city image.
However, in recent years, residents have increasingly reported hotter summers and rising temperature records.
The officer warned that unless urgent corrective steps are taken, the city could face a heavier environmental cost in the years ahead.
Solutions suggested
Dipika Bajpai called for aggressive roadside tree planting, creation of urban forest parks and mandatory tree cover in residential sites.
Environmentalists have long argued that tree-lined roads reduce heat absorption, improve air quality and offer natural cooling in dense urban areas.
Public reaction online
Her comments drew strong support online, with many users blaming poor planning, unchecked construction and large-scale road widening for the loss of greenery.
Several residents said they could physically feel the temperature difference between old tree-covered roads and newer stretches without shade.
Others stressed that development itself is not the problem, but development without ecological planning.
Bigger Bengaluru concern
The issue has reignited debate around how Bengaluru should grow while preserving green spaces, lakes and tree cover.
Urban planners often warn that without sustainable planning, expanding cities become hotter, more flood-prone and less liveable.
Climate and city future
As Bengaluru expands rapidly, the discussion now goes beyond summer discomfort.
For many citizens, protecting trees is no longer only about beauty — it is about survival, health and the future quality of life in the city.