Where have Bengaluru’s signature fruits gone?
Urban expansion in Bengaluru has led to the disappearance of traditional vineyards and agricultural land in areas like Bettahalasur. Farmers are increasingly abandoning agriculture as their land is converted into multi-storey residential and commercial buildings.
Why it matters
It highlights the loss of local agricultural heritage and the environmental impact of rapid, unplanned urban sprawl in major Indian cities.
Ramachandra Gowda, 60, rides his moped every day from home to his two-acre vineyard in Bettahalasur, about 25 km north of Bengaluru. Once upon a time, Bettahalasur had acres of vineyards, besides fields yielding a variety of vegetables and betel leaves.
The likes of Gowda are now few, as the city has expanded. Most farmers on the outskirts have moved away from farming and agricultural land has been replaced by thousands of multi-storey buildings.
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