Meet the man who is credited with turning Bengaluru into a pink paradise

Often identified with traffic bottlenecks, hurried commuters, and the relentless rhythm of metropolitan life, Bengaluru recently experienced a rare, gentle interlude. The city, usually defined by honking vehicles and crowded junctions, appeared to slow down as avenues and residential neighborhoods were suddenly washed in soft pink hues. Streets that once seemed ordinary were transformed into dreamy corridors lined with delicate flowers.

This seasonal spectacle is created by the flowering of Tabebuia rosea, a tree frequently mistaken for the cherry blossom displays associated with Japan. As these trees bloom, they cast a blush-toned canopy over roads and parks, lending the city an almost magical aura. The transformation has drawn admiration from residents and visitors alike, who see in these blossoms a reminder of nature’s quiet power to reshape urban spaces.

The Vision Behind the Bloom

According to Indian Forest Service officer Ramesh Pandey, the credit for introducing these remarkable trees to Bengaluru belongs to noted forester S.G. Neginhal. Pandey has acknowledged that Neginhal’s foresight and dedication reshaped the city’s green cover in ways that continue to benefit it decades later. By carefully selecting tree species that offered both shade and seasonal color, Neginhal helped cultivate a landscape that, during flowering months, evokes comparisons to Japan’s celebrated cherry blossom season.


A report published by Deccan Herald traces this transformation back to 1982, during the annual Vanamahotsava celebrations. At the time, then chief minister Gundu Rao expressed concern over reports highlighting the rapid depletion of greenery in the city. When questioned, the Bangalore Development Authority and the City Corporation proposed planting 10,000 saplings. However, the Forestry Department considered this number far too modest. Officials asserted that, if given autonomy, they could plant one lakh trees in 1982 and scale the effort up to five lakh the following year.

Neginhal was appointed to oversee the ambitious initiative. What followed would become a defining chapter in Bengaluru’s environmental history.

Innovation Against the Odds

One of the principal obstacles confronting the afforestation drive was the survival of young saplings. Grazing animals such as goats, cattle, and buffaloes frequently damaged newly planted trees. To address this, Neginhal devised a practical solution: saplings would be nurtured in nurseries for several months and transplanted only after they had grown taller than six feet, making them less vulnerable to livestock.

He also emphasized species selection, choosing varieties like Tabebuia rosea that provided generous shade along with striking seasonal blossoms. Over a span of five years, approximately 1.5 million trees were planted throughout Bengaluru, dramatically increasing the city’s green cover.

Safeguarding the saplings required further experimentation. The department explored multiple options for tree guards. Bitumen drums proved too costly. Iron rods were frequently stolen. Brick enclosures were dismantled by individuals seeking construction material. Bamboo guards were sometimes destroyed by termites or collapsed under the weight of animals rubbing against them.

After extensive trials, a practical combination was adopted: bamboo paired with trimmed eucalyptus poles, treated with bitumen to resist termites and reinforced with chicken wire. This low-cost yet sturdy design enabled large-scale protection of young trees, ensuring higher survival rates.

The Making of the Tree Man

S.G. Neginhal, later affectionately referred to as the Tree Man for planting over 10.5 lakh saplings in Bengaluru during the 1980s, had a lifelong connection to forests. Born in 1929 in Dharwad, then part of the Bombay Presidency, he was the son of Gopalrao, a forest officer trained in 1912 at the prestigious Rangers College in Dehradun under British administration.

In an interview with The Times of India at his Basaveshwaranagar residence, Neginhal recalled how accompanying his father on official forest visits during childhood instilled in him a lasting affection for wildlife and woodland ecosystems. Following this early inspiration, he enrolled in a two-year forest rangers training program in Dharwad in 1951. Over the years, he served in several wildlife regions across India.

In 1972, he was appointed wildlife officer in charge of Bandipur and Nagarhole sanctuaries, along with Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and the Biligirirangana Hills.

A Pioneer of Project Tiger

During the early 1970s, tiger populations in India and globally were declining sharply. A delegation of experts from Britain approached Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with a proposal to initiate a focused conservation program. Acting on her direction, a committee under the Ministry of Environment and Forests launched Project Tiger.

The committee, which included renowned wildlife photographer and naturalist Madhaviah Krishnan, toured potential sites in 1973. After assessing Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad in Kerala, and Bandipur in Karnataka, the team selected Bandipur as the first tiger reserve in South India. Neginhal prepared the management plan, securing approval from the Karnataka government. On November 17, 1973, the Bandipur Tiger Project was inaugurated by chief minister Devaraj Urs alongside forest minister K.H. Patil. The reserve later gained international recognition for its conservation success.

Neginhal retired in 1987. He passed away in 2021 due to Covid-19 complications at the age of 93. Yet each spring, as pink blossoms once again adorn Bengaluru’s streets, his enduring legacy quietly flourishes.