Overview
- The Bangalore Development Authority led a drive that planted 15 lakh native saplings across Bengaluru on June 27 and obtained a Guinness World Record for most plants planted by a team in 12 hours.
- Within days, BJP and JD(S) leaders published photographs they said showed large numbers of saplings withering or dead and accused the state government of treating the campaign as a publicity exercise.
- Opposition figures have cited two different aggregate costs reported in coverage, ₹54 crore and ₹88 crore, and have demanded disclosure of contractors, use of funds, and who is responsible for ongoing watering and care.
- The BDA has defended the programme, said early leaf‑shedding can follow transplant shock, completed a field assessment of sites, and announced measures including targeted monitoring, borewells, temporary water tankers and GPS and drone tracking.
- The dispute raises practical and political stakes: survival depends on sustained irrigation and site upkeep by NGOs, agencies and local groups, and the controversy could prompt tighter oversight, replacements for failed saplings, and scrutiny of future urban greening spending.