Bengaluru Airport acquires Mediterranean flora & fauna, dragon trees between 80-400 years old

BENGALURU: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is trying to make the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru a one-stop location for exotic, endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. The BIAL has imported the exotic Mediterranean trees and plants from Spain and Italy. This includes world-renowned Dragon Trees (Dracaena Draco) and Cupressus varieties.
After a 10-week voyage from Europe, followed by a two-day road trip from Mumbai, the trees and plants, packed in temperature-controlled containers, have arrived in Bengaluru in good health. All the plants and trees will be kept in a greenhouse for 10 weeks to acclimatise to the local weather and soil conditions, before they are moved to their respective locations. The arrival of this consignment marks the beginning of the process of acquiring exotic, rare, endangered and threatened flora and fauna from across the world, BIAL said in a press release.

“The BIAL has always focused on maintaining aesthetic green spaces – right from the inception of BLR Airport. The gardens at the Airport are one of our most outstanding features, and passengers have now come to expect this natural beauty when they pass through the Airport. In keeping with Bengaluru’s image as the Garden City of India, BIAL is working to reflect this image at the Airport by creating world-class landscapes. This will ensure that our landscape endorses the building of biodiversity and sustainability, in keeping with the garden-themed Terminal 2,” said Prasannamurti Desai, Head, Landscaping, BIAL.

The Dragon Trees that arrived at the Airport are between 80 to 400 years old. They are one of the oldest trees in the world. According to Greek mythology, the dragon trees were believed to have emerged from the blood of the hundred-headed dragon, Ladon. The Dragon Tree is hugely popular with landscapers because of its naturally strong architectural features. Unlike other Dracaena species, the Tree adapts well to cooler as well as warmer climates. The Dragon Tree, a threatened species, is native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira and Western Morocco. They are so valued in Tenerife that it has been chosen as the Natural Symbol of the Island Nation. When grown in perfect conditions, the Dragon Tree can grow up to between 10 and 12 meters in height, with a spread of up to 4 meters, the BIAL press release added.