Environment

This Joy of Giving Week (Oct 2-8, 2011), please "give" to Puttenahalli Neighbourood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT).A citizens' initiative, the PNLIT has been working with the Bangalore municipality (BBMP), to rejuvenate and preserve Puttenahalli Lake in South Bangalore. A couple of years ago, the lake was almost lost to 'development' but it is now a "saved" lake of Bangalore that is teeming with fish and attracting birds. Indeed, the Puttenahalli Lake is an example of what we, the people can achieve with governmental support (and visa versa!!).In May 2011, PNLIT became the first citizens' group to be given charge of…

Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar 7th Phase celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi this year sans the problems faced by most of the other lakes in Bangalore.Ganesha Chaturthi = colourful Ganeshas + flowers + immersion in water bodies Immersion in a big drum on the bund of Puttenahalli Lake Pic: Usha Rajagopalan Sankey Tank in Malleshwaram was the immersion ground for more than 50,000/- Ganeshas of varying sizes (according to local police figures). The festivity here also contributed a few lorry-loads of rotting flowers and leaves that were sent to landfills (according to local resident observations).  Puttenahalli Lake, unlike Sankey Tank is a…

Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar 7th Phase celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi this year sans the problems faced by most of the other lakes in Bangalore.Ganesha Chaturthi = colourful Ganeshas + flowers + immersion in water bodies Immersion in a big drum on the bund of Puttenahalli Lake Pic: Usha Rajagopalan Sankey Tank in Malleshwaram was the immersion ground for more than 50,000/- Ganeshas of varying sizes (according to local police figures). The festivity here also contributed a few lorry-loads of rotting flowers and leaves that were sent to landfills (according to local resident observations).  Puttenahalli Lake, unlike Sankey Tank is a…

The world celebrates Car-Free Day on September 22.... Bangalore can also join in. We welcome you to play your role as a citizen of Bangalore: · Please do not use car on Sept 22nd · Use public transport for one day · Explore the possibility of car pooling from/to your area⊕

Do you know how much of the pollution in the world is caused by cars? Some studies put that at 40%. As a result, some across the globe have chosen to observe 22nd September as World Car Free Day. ESAF, a Bangalore based not-for-profit organization that is campaigning to make the city a child friendly one, decided to do its bit to create awareness on the advantage of not using cars. On the 21st, the NGO has planned to distribute handbills along with 2 English and 1 Kannada newspapers to persuade car users to consider taking public transport. "Some friends…

The world celebrates Car-Free Day on September 22.... Bangalore can also join in. We welcome you to play your role as a citizen of Bangalore: · Please do not use car on Sept 22nd · Use public transport for one day · Explore the possibility of car pooling from/to your area⊕

Do you know how much of the pollution in the world is caused by cars? Some studies put that at 40%. As a result, some across the globe have chosen to observe 22nd September as World Car Free Day. ESAF, a Bangalore based not-for-profit organization that is campaigning to make the city a child friendly one, decided to do its bit to create awareness on the advantage of not using cars. On the 21st, the NGO has planned to distribute handbills along with 2 English and 1 Kannada newspapers to persuade car users to consider taking public transport. "Some friends…

As you all know, the local community has been working very hard on rejuvenating Kaikondrahalli lake - it has come a long way from the days it was a garbage dump to an acclaimed water body that has been appreciated by one and all.  Our community has been very active on this front. The last two days have been traumatic for us.Just when our complaints about SJR Watermark constructions’ letting in sewage and worker sheds encroaching were having some effects, this new problem has risen.This weekend, BBMP decided to replace the old broken fence on the main bund facing Sarjapur road.…

As you all know, the local community has been working very hard on rejuvenating Kaikondrahalli lake - it has come a long way from the days it was a garbage dump to an acclaimed water body that has been appreciated by one and all.  Our community has been very active on this front. The last two days have been traumatic for us.Just when our complaints about SJR Watermark constructions’ letting in sewage and worker sheds encroaching were having some effects, this new problem has risen.This weekend, BBMP decided to replace the old broken fence on the main bund facing Sarjapur road.…

Kaikondrahalli lake has been restored to its current condition after great efforts and regular clean up campaigns. Now it is undergoing the 2nd phase of renovation in which various works have been undertaken by the BBMP. However, since the past few months, a nearby apartment complex construction activity has been harming the lake. Not only an eyesore to the serene surroundings, the builder (SJR) has been letting in untreated sewage into the lake. This is mainly due to poor amenities provided to the construction workers - lack of proper toilets and no soak pits. All the sewage has been flowing…