India, June 27 -- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that 15 lakh saplings will be planted across Bengaluru to mark the 517th birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city. The large-scale plantation drive is part of the state's 'Green Bengaluru' initiative aimed at restoring the city's green cover.

After paying floral tributes to Kempegowda's statue, Shivakumar said Bengaluru has earned global recognition due to the visionary leadership of its founder and stressed the need to preserve the city's ecological balance. He said the government is committed to transforming Bengaluru into a garden city once again through extensive tree plantation.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to deve...