600 sq ft rainforest, 100 plant varieties, 17 bird species: Retired Bengaluru techie turns terrace into mini forest with homegrown cherries, dragon fruit, coffee and more, keeping temperatures cooler and the air cleaner

At a time when deforestation and rapid urbanisation are rampant, there are only a few environment-conscious individuals who are actively working to restore and preserve green spaces. Relentlessly cutting trees and replacing natural landscapes with concrete structures has significantly reduced urban green cover, disrupting local ecosystems and biodiversity. As a result, cities are experiencing rising summer temperatures, intensified heatwave conditions, poor air quality and the urban heat island effect. But one man is making a difference with his biodiversity-rich rooftop oasis in Bengaluru.

Slice of the Western Ghats in Bengaluru

According to a report by The Better India, retired mechanical engineer Venkataraman has transformed his terrace into a mini forest, entering which will make you forget that you are living in a metro city. Carefully engineered 6 years ago, the 600 sq ft rainforest inside the 5-storey home feels like the Western Ghats in the middle of the city.



As per the video posted on Instagram by The Better India, Venkataraman’s terrace is filled with over 100 plant varieties and more than 17 species of birds as well as butterflies. There are bright red cherries that one can pluck directly from the trees and eat, dragonfruits, red bananas, citrons, avocados, flat beans, curry leaves and even coffee seeds.

Nature's answer to urban heat

Although Venkataraman started the initiative by planting a few potted plants at first in memory of his mother, he soon transformed his terrace into a lush green rainforest built over 3 levels, as per an Instagram video by fellow mechanical engineer Gurunandan Rao M. While the first 2 levels feature the plantations, the top level is home to a Shiva temple featuring a setup that helps the wide variety of plants to receive water naturally, before it is collected, filtered and reused again.

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A post shared by Gurunandan Rao M | Lake conservation, Education, Music, Farming (@gurunandan_rao_m)

According to Venkataraman, heavy rain, hailstorms and thunderstorms in Bengaluru did not impact his plants being uprooted, as he feared. He found that it was the drumstick tree that helped in holding the roots of the plants together, ensuring each of them stays intact even during heavy storms, reported The Better India. Besides birds and butterflies, the rainforest also welcomes stingless bees. Surprisingly, the temperature here drops 3-4 degrees even in hot summer months, while the AQI improves by 10-12 per cent.