The Year That Was - PNLIT Highlights of 2017

Our warm greetings to you and your family for the New Year. The PNLIT family will remember 2017 for a long, long time. Here's what made it memorable.

January

We install a cattle barrier near the garbage corner at the south west entrance to the lake. Also a welded mesh at the base of the inner grill to prevent dogs from entering the water and disturbing the birds.

February

Padma Bhushan Sudha Ragunathan visits the lake on the 25th. 

Sudha Ragunathan at Puttenahalli Lake, Feb 2017

At the fund raiser concert in the evening, she sings a special song on lakes which we will remember for all time to come! Heartfelt thanks to Gautham and Jenesys for facilitating and sponsoring the concert and to Brigade Hospitality. 

Sudha Ragunathan in concert, Feb 2017

The concert is a good opportunity to release our newsletter and to felicitate our well wishers and CSR partners. Mr. B.V. Satish, Chief Engineer, Lakes, BBMP receives the first copy of our newsletter "Ripples" from the singer. PNLIT partners felicitated are Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Ltd., VMWare, Deloitte Shared Services India Pvt. Ltd., Cisco, BMS College of Engineering and the Community around the lake whose donations enable us to nurture the lake. 

March 

The Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute, Bengaluru (EMPRI) organises a Jatre from their office to Puttenahalli Lake to promote awareness about the hazards of using plastic. 

We begin revamping the wetland.

May

Our MoU with the BBMP is renewed for another term of three years.

Yellappa harvests fish in plenty. Species in the lake are Indian Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Chinese Carp (Common, Silver and Grass) and Snakehead (Varal)

Silver Carp, May 2017

June

PNLIT partners with Earthwatch Institute India to promote scientific application by students and local residents in the conservation and restoration of environment and ecosystems. The events will be conducted at the lake premises.

Lake overflows into the waste weir for the second consecutive year.

July

Ms. Seema Garg, the new CEO of Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority, visits the lake. She is already well aware of us and our work.

Story telling by Vikram Sridhar is a great success.

August

PNLIT trustees with gardener Jayanna visit Madivala Lake and teach KLCDA staff to make the floating wetland platforms. They are introduced in Agara Lake as well.

The 2^nd edition of "Ripples" is released.

September 

Storytelling and Drum Jam session at lake by Snehadhara, Drum Circle, Pratham Books and PNLIT, to celebrate International Literacy Day. Over 70 children accompanied by adults attend.

Drummers at the lake, Sep 2017

BBMP offer to clean some of the weeds. Slum residents get the entire stretch along their hutments removed destroying bird habitat and nesting site.

November

PNLIT, Nrityadarpan (a classical dance institute) and IPAAC celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava with a dance and music programme. Ms. Malavika Avinash, renowned Kannada actress lauds the rejuvenated lake and more so, the involvement of the community.

Nrityotsav, Nov 2017

The migratory Western Marsh Harrier spotted at the lake after years.

PNLIT is awarded the "Key to My Liveable City" by My Liveable City, an international journal, at Mumbai. 

My Liveable City award, Nov 2017

PNLIT participates in a public event called "Celebrating the Urban Commons" organised by the Azim Premji University.

Deccan Herald in a front page report mentions that "Puttenahalli Lake is in a bad shape." PNLIT immediately write to the Editor in protest. Our volunteers and well wishers overwhelm us with their vociferous support. Deccan Herald withdraws the write up and photograph from the online edition. We are deeply touched and grateful to all our friends.

Floating island chains in wetland, Nov 2017

December 

PNLIT participates in the VMWare Community Day held at their office premises.

Work begins on erecting a Pergola over a 100 meter stretch of the walking track along the wetland. Grants from Misys Financial Software Solutions and VMWare enabled this installation which is in finishing stage. The pergola design is CSR contribution from Mayapraxis architects.

PNLIT Calendar 2018 features butterflies and dragonflies photographed at the lake.

***

All in all, an exciting year which makes us look forward to 2018.  With your continued support, we will be able to nurture our lovely lake and make it even better.

With new year greetings,

The PNLIT team

Photo credits: PNLIT Shutterbugs