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Max Mueller Bhavan | India Bangalore

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11:30 AM-1:00 PM

Urban Conflict: Exotic and Native Plants in Bangalore

Panel Discussion |Travelling Plants

  • Alliance Française de Bangalore

  • English
  • Free

Travelling Plants © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

Travelling Plants © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

Join us for a panel discussion with Lina Vincent, Soubadra Devy, Omana Eappen, Raghu Tenkayala, Jobin Varughese, and Raghu Tenkayala, moderated by Suresh Jayaram on 18 October 2025, 11:30 am at Alliance Française de Bangalore.

Bangalore, often referred to as the Garden City of India, has a fascinating story to tell through its diverse array of trees and plants. Long before rapid urban growth transformed the city, its landscape was home to native species that had adapted to the region’s climate. Trees like neem, peepal, and banyan not only provided shade and resilience but also played a central role in community life. Many of them are still found around neighbourhood temples and shrines, showing how deeply nature is woven into the city’s traditions and everyday life.

The introduction of exotic plants began centuries ago and gathered pace during the time of Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and later under British rule. Lalbagh Botanical Garden, founded in the 18th century, became a place where plants from all over the world were brought, studied, and grown — from African baobabs to South American jacarandas. Under colonial supervision, both Lalbagh and Cubbon Park became spaces to showcase foreign species. Over time, many of these plants, such as tabebuia, rain trees, and eucalyptus, became part of Bangalore’s identity.

Today, the city’s greenery is a vibrant mix of native and exotic plants, each telling a part of Bangalore’s story. This blend makes the city beautiful, but it also raises important questions:
► How do these plants impact local biodiversity?
► What role should they play in a rapidly growing urban landscape?
► How can we plan for a greener, more sustainable future?

This discussion invites you to explore these questions and consider how the plants around us shape not only our environment, but also our sense of place and belonging in the Garden City.

Entry free!

This event is part of the project Travelling Plants.