PNLIT completes 16 years

Today, 11th June 2026, marks 16 years of our NGO, Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT).

Google remembers!

When the Trust was formed in 2010, our primary focus was to support the municipality in caring for the newly rejuvenated Puttenahalli Lake in JP Nagar 7th Phase. We wanted to ensure that it did not relapse into disrepair for want of continued care and maintenance. In 2011, we entered into an agreement with BBMP and nurtured the lake until June 2025, when BBMP, and later GBA, took over its maintenance.

 

While maintaining lakes and other public open spaces is ultimately the responsibility of the government, we believe that residents living in the vicinity have a responsibility as well. Over the past year, we have remained vigilant, bringing to the attention of the authorities, issues like sewage inflow, drying vegetation, and other concerns affecting Puttenahalli Puttakere.

 

In keeping with the objectives of the Trust, we have also continued to engage the wider community through activities such as:

 

- Nature walks

- Groundwater recharge study with Biome

- Bird counts

- Lake clean-up in partnership with the Indian Ploggers Army

- Noise monitoring with Noisewatchers

- Publication of the children's book The City That Learnt to Catch the Rain: The Story of Bengaluru's Lakes, along with its Kannada translation, to create awareness and foster appreciation for Bengaluru's lakes among younger generations.

 

As PNLIT enters another year, we reaffirm our commitment to complement GBA's efforts to protect, preserve and nurture Puttenahalli Puttakere. We will continue to undertake activities that further the objectives of the Trust and, in our own small way, contribute towards making Bengaluru a better place to live.

Noise monitoring - partnering with Noisewatchers

Recently PNLIT partnered with Noisewatchers in monitoring the noise levels in south Bangalore. 

Noisewatchers is a movement fighting sound pollution in our cities through awareness building on social media, in-person programs and advocacy with authorities. As part of this movement, the team needed to collate sound intensity data. 

There is data collected by KSPCB but this is inadequate with only ten monitoring stations across Bangalore and the data is not shared live. In order to compensate for this and to ask for more and better monitoring, Noisewatchers wanted to rent the same monitoring device as distributed by the KSPCB to police stations and use it to measure sound at spots where KSPCB does not. 

On 15th and 16th April 2026, they measured sound intensity at four spots in the JP Nagar - Banashankari - Jayanagar region. At each spot, they measured min, max and average sound for the duration of measure along with gps location and the primary source of sound.

Noise meter (Pic: Prajna Dutt)

Read the report of the data collected and action taken with this data, on the Noisewatchers blog here.

Kannada Book release - World Environment Day Celebrations

 On 5th June, World Environment Day, PNLIT joined the celebrations at Government High School, Puttenahalli, marking the occasion with the release of "ಮಳೆ ಹಿಡಿದಿಡಲು ಕಲಿತ ನಗರ: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಕೆರೆಗಳ ಕತೆ", the Kannada translation of The City That Learnt to Catch the Rain: The Story of Bengaluru's Lakes.

The school, which has over 1,300 students from LKG to Class 10 studying in both Kannada and English medium, had organised an impressive programme highlighting the importance of environmental conservation. Teachers and students had put together thoughtful presentations using posters, placards and live plants to demonstrate why protecting the environment matters and what each of us can do to contribute.

One of the teachers introduced PNLIT and its work to the students. Long-time well-wisher and volunteer Jagadeesh Maiya then spoke about the environment, Bengaluru's lakes and the role they continue to play in the city's ecology and water security. Referring to the book, he expressed the hope that it would help young readers understand why lakes remain vital to the city's future. It was particularly special that both the author, Arathi Manay, and the translator, Uma Rajanna, were present for the occasion, along with PNLIT trustees Nandhini, Nupur and Sangita, volunteer Prajna and a few other well-wishers. The Kannada edition of the book was formally released by Mr. Manjunath, Principal of the Primary and Middle School section.

Copies of the English and Kannada editions of the book were presented to the school for distribution among the children and for the library - so that students could continue exploring the story of Bengaluru's lakes and their importance to the city.

The school itself left a strong impression. Its airy classrooms, vibrant primary school spaces and confident students reflected a nurturing learning environment. Particularly noteworthy was the school's well-equipped science laboratory, where students have access to advanced tools such as a laser cutter and 3D printer under the guidance of full-time teachers. It was inspiring to see such facilities fostering curiosity, creativity and innovation among young learners.

World Environment Day provided a fitting occasion to engage with the next generation and share the story of Bengaluru's lakes, reinforcing the message that environmental stewardship begins with awareness, education and a connection with the natural world around us.

If you'd like a copy of the book (English or Kannada) - please check this link https://forms.gle/2u8yEBvNiMtX1EYc8 to find a pick up point or mail option.