In an inspiring story of determination, environmental awareness, and personal transformation, a Bengaluru resident has turned his ordinary terrace into a lush urban forest over the course of 12 years—proving that even small spaces can spark massive ecological change.
The journey began in the scorching summer of 2010. While most people were searching for ways to escape the heat, Nataraja, an IT professional, was installing a simple water cooler for relief. But that moment sparked a powerful thought: instead of cooling machines, why not cool the surroundings by planting trees?
With Bengaluru’s green cover steadily shrinking and temperatures rising year after year, Nataraja felt the city’s climate shift deeply. It reminded him of his childhood roots in a farming family, pushing him to step away from the relentless 18-hour shifts of the IT industry and reconnect with nature, health, and family.
His mission started small—growing vegetables and medicinal plants in rice sacks and old containers. What began as an experiment soon expanded into a passion. He then moved to planting bigger saplings in 55-liter recycled drums, choosing species suitable for a terrace ecosystem.
Over the next decade, those saplings transformed into towering, evergreen trees. Today, his once-plain terrace sits beneath the cool shade of moringa (drumstick), bamboo, tamarind, wild fig, and several other native species. The space has evolved into a full-fledged urban forest, buzzing with birds, butterflies, and fresh oxygen in the middle of the bustling city.
Nataraja’s green oasis stands as a powerful reminder that sustainable change begins at home. His terrace forest not only cools his surroundings but also showcases a model for urban greening amid rising climate concerns.
