A viral social media post highlighting Bengaluru’s shrinking green spaces has ignited a passionate debate across the city. The post, shared on platform X, claimed that Bengaluru has lost 86% of its tree cover since 1973, with over 50,000 trees felled in the past 15 years alone. It questioned whether rapid development justifies sacrificing the city’s natural heritage.
The post quickly gained traction, amassing more than 16,000 views and sparking hundreds of comments. Many residents lamented the decline. One user remarked that even Chennai now boasts better greenery, while another recalled when Bengaluru was called the “Air-conditioned City” in the 1970s. Several blamed politicians for aggressively promoting the city as an IT hub without sustainable planning.
Critics pointed to widespread tree cutting for infrastructure, especially road widening projects that rarely ease congestion long-term. “They kept chopping majestic trees in the name of progress, and those left standing are slowly dying under concrete,” a resident wrote.
The controversy has been further fueled by plans to axe nearly 33,000 trees for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, aimed at reducing traffic woes. While authorities argue the rail line is crucial for future mobility, environmental groups and thousands of citizens have lodged objections, citing irreversible ecological damage.
Experts warn that Bengaluru’s deteriorating green cover not only erodes its unique charm but also worsens pollution and water shortages, threatening the city’s long-term sustainability.