Lake Census 2020

Please participate in the Lake Census 2020. 

See the mail below from Dr. S. Subramanya, renowned birder and conservationist. 

Dear Friends,

This is a great opportunity for all of us to showcase the status of our wetlands and waterbirds in Bangalore. Since the High Court has evinced keen interest in knowing the status of our waterbirds and their wetlands in light of the 1989 Midwinter Waterfowl Census, I feel it is our collective responsibility to rise to the occasion to survey our wetlands for waterbirds. The results of the census that we showcase in comparison to the 1989 survey will have unending impact, where the judiciary can see how our waterbird status have changed due to mindless development of their habitats. The decisions that the High Court may take will have far-reaching effects to influence the way one needs to treat our waterbodies as waterbird habitats, not just in Bangalore, but across the country. 

Let us show to everyone across the country that we care for our birds that we love to watch and their habitats in our city. 

Please go, Register and lend your time and support for counting birds this January. 

I am committed to this 100%. Rain or shine, I will go.

Subbu.

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To register: https://bngbirds.com/lake-census-2020/

World Water Day 2019

The advent of another hot summer brings into focus, yet again, the absolute need for the conservation and preservation of one of the most precious of our resources, fresh water, whose scarcity has reached daunting levels. Basic water preservation techniques have become the need of the hour.  The life-threatening depletion, pollution and misuse of our fresh water resources do not augur well for future generations.

World Water Day, 22 March, has gone beyond the aura of symbolism to that of alarm and ominous warning.  Cities around the world have seen citizens' movements to counter the abuse of streams and lakes which are the life blood of fragile ecosystems, and to protect and preserve them. 

Our beautiful Puttenahalli lake is an example of how we, as a community, can transform a once dying lake into a sparkling life-sustaining one with a rich diversity of flora and fauna.  Our heartfelt thanks to all our well wishers, partners, donors and supporters.  

You will be happy to know that our Floating Island concept is the theme of this year's World Water Day celebration at Madiwala Lake. Do attend this event. If you are not able to, then go to our lake.  

There is no better way to celebrate World Water Day than to spend some time at our pretty neighbourhood lake, a lung-space from the manic, time-bound, work driven city life and connect to where we first came from - water.

Save water! 

Best regards
PNLIT team

Eco India video - Bangalore's lakes being transformed

Eco India is a collaboration between Scroll.in and Deutsche Welle news channel.

Starting this week, Eco India brings you stories of innovations from across India and Europe, and the people who make them possible. The top story this week looks at how citizens in Bangalore are coming together to replenish and revive the city's lakes. Puttenahalli Lake is featured in this episode.

click here for youtube 

Many thanks to Scroll.in's researcher Aditi Rajagopal for the interest in Puttenahalli Lake, and to photographer Omkar Phatak who makes all the lakes look spectacular.

Deutsche Welle broadcast this shortened episode yesterday, and it can be seen here.

The full episode can be seen on youtube here.

Folk Arts Event at Puttenahalli Lake

Experience a unique folk arts event of rare music, songs and stories from the hinterlands of India, right at your own neighbourhood lake. 

PNLIT and Urban Folk Project presents

Yellamma and Other Stories: Stories and musical conversations on Goddess Yellamma

Date: 28th July 2018, Saturday

Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 

Place: Puttenahalli Lake, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore 560078.

The event is free. 

All are welcome. Do register your name by sending an email to sapana_rawat@yahoo.com.

About Urban Folk Project (UFP):

Urban Folk Project is a young collective working towards the collection of intangible culture across Karnataka, and exhibiting it in a contemporary context. More details about UFP may be seen on the website https://ufpbangalore.com/. 

Artists:
The team of Shilpa Mudbi Kothakota, Adithya Kothakota and Sumithra Sunder tell the stories collected and compiled by UPF. The singers are collaborators who have chosen to learn these songs and instruments to help their artistic sensibilities and have joined UFP  to exhibit these stories.The three instruments that will be used for the performance are the Shruti, Chowdki and Jaalra/Taala. 

Lakes out of bounds for people! Crippling amendments to Tank Development Act

On 23rd February, the state government passed amendments to the Tank Development Act transferring all lakes to the Minor Irrigation Department (MID). It repeals the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Act which had provided for active community participation. 

To add insult to injury, the amendments were adopted with sparse attendance in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday 22nd Feb. 2018 and passed the next day, on 23rd Feb., in the Legislative Council in haste, without any discussion or debate.

We are various citizen groups across Bengaluru who for the past several years have been deeply involved in the restoration, protection and preservation of the water bodies in our respective localities. We know  from experience that public participation is vital to the nurturing water bodies. 

Mismanagement by the authorities over the years caused the extinction of hundreds of lakes in the city. We cannot allow them to finish off the few surviving ones. We have formally appealed to the Hon'ble Governor to return the amendments bill. Please join us by signing this online petition. 

Thank you, 

PNLIT 

Will Bangalore run out of water?

A recent article on the BBC website listed 11 cities worldwide, most likely to run out of drinking water, like what has already happened at Cape Town (South Africa). The article can be read here. Sao Paulo (Brazil) is at No. 1, and Bangalore is at number 2. 

Mr Vishwanath, one of Bangalore's water experts has written a rejoinder article that can be read here, explaining why Bangalore is unlikely to go dry as predicted. While it is comforting to read, we cannot afford to be complacent or indifferent. Water scarcity is real, frightening and imminent if we do not act, not just in Bangalore, but wherever we live.  

Harvest rainfall. Save water. Save lakes!

​

Muddy waters after the rains

Those of you like me, who live away from Puttenahalli Lake, would be wondering how the lake looks after the torrential rains of the past couple of days. The pictures of Bangalore on television showed that the rains were so heavy that roads became like rivers, complete with floating boats. So the image of the lake that I had was one brimming with water. This was not far from reality, but it's muddy water!

15th Aug 2017

Fellow trustee Nupur shared some pictures after surveying the area yesterday. "Continuous heavy rains created a lot of changes in the lake", she wrote.

Drains with trash are common in Bangalore and the rapidly gushing storm water drain streams that feed the lake brought with them lots of undesirables. The silt traps where we'd fitted grills caught a lot of trash. There were other places however, where the trash flowed in.

The wetland is totally spoilt. Our floating islands are scattered all around and will need to be rescued.

Mud from the neighbouring plot flowed onto the walking track making it like a river of quick sand and risky for anyone to walk there.

Much needs to be done to bring back the normalcy of a few days ago. Our staff has their hands full. And as they worked today, the birds, the fish and the snakes were found enjoying the new muddy waters.

Why your help is vital

Friends, Please read this article: http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/please-dont-go-bengaluru-needs-thousands-of-warriors-like-prabhashankar-rai-not-one-less/articleshow/58567168.cms

We need to grow in number and strength for the sake of our lake. 

Plastic waste management event at the lake by EMPRI

The Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute, Bengaluru is organising an event tomorrow, 14th March to promote awareness of the deep environment hazards caused by our use of plastic. 

The programme will begin at 8 a.m. at the EMPRI office at 'Hasiru Bhavana', Doresanipalya Forest Campus, Vinayakanagara Circle, J.P. Nagar 5th Phase (http://empri.kar.nic.in/Contact_us.asp). Everyone assembled will go in a jatre to our Puttenahalli Lake where they will collect any plastic waste and then disperse by 11 a.m. 

We request you to join this much needed campaign and do your bit to save the environment. You could join at 8 a.m. at the EMPRI office or at the lake at 10 a.m. 

Cycling enthusiasts - 1st March is your day!

Our PNLIT is registered as an NGO beneficiary at the Vodafone Cycling Marathon. Our page can be seen here.

Calling all you cycling enthusiasts to register for the marathon and support our cause. The marathon is on 1st March. Registrations will close soon. Please register today! Pick the ride that suits you - from 60 kms for professionals to fashion ride of 5 kms. There's even a kids' ride of 2 kms!! More rides and registration details on the website here.

Godspeed to your cycling legs!!  

Best regards

Usha

Puttenahalli Lake finds mention among Karnataka's 15 ideas

From today's Independence Day issue of The Times Of India newspaper:  

"Independence Day is not just about looking back and saluting the people who won us our freedom. It is also about looking ahead at forces that are shaping our futures and at ideas that can bring long-lasting change."

TOI looks at 15 ideas from Karnataka that it believes have "freshness, innovation, the ability to be scaled and replicated, and potential impact".

  

Happy to see Save Bangalore Lakes Trust and the lakes movement as one of the 15 recognised ideas. And noteworthy that PNLIT/ Puttenahalli Lake finds mention in two places. The epaper can be seen here. 

PNLIT and Puttenahalli Lake are surviving because of your support. In case you have not yet contributed to PNLIT's donation drive, details are below. Let us work together to make this "idea" a truly sustaining one.

**********

PNLIT's annual expenses are approximately Rs 6 lakhs. The trust account is audited and income tax returns since inception have been filed. For information on PNLIT's MoU with BBMP, please see here. 

Donations may be made in cash, cheque or by direct remittance. Donations are eligible for income tax exemption, u/s 80G of the Income Tax Act (50% deduction from taxable income). 

Donations in cash or cheque (in favour of "PNLIT") may be given to any of the PNLIT trustees. 

Details for direct remittance -

Branch name: State Bank of India, RBI Layout, Bangalore 560078 

Savings Account no: 31209228099 in the name of "PNLIT" or "Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust"
MICR Code: 560002090
IFSC Code: SBIN0004408

Rotary citation to PNLIT

Sincere thanks to Rotary Bangalore South Parade for the citation presented to PNLIT.      

In you we find a crusader in saving the environment and water bodies in Bangalore. 

Against all odds you have relentlessly worked to revive a dead lake and brought Puttenahalli lake to full life with water, flora fauna, fish and birds.

We the President, Board of Directors and Members of Rotary Bangalore South Parade on this day of July 4 2014 recognize your contribution to the residents of Bangalore City for enhancing the quality of life. 

​

Usha and Nupur represented PNLIT at a function on the 4th of July to receive it.

29th March 2014 - The Green Bazaar Catch Every Drop

The Green Bazaar Catch Every Drop edition, organised by The Alternative, celebrates waterlife and the need for everyone to conserve the precious resource today!

Lined up in the bazaar:

- Namma Neeru Talks featuring S. Vishwanath, Dr. Sathya Prakash Varanashi, Lake Champions (including Puttenahalli Lake)

- photography exhibition on open wells and lakes, and ways to save water in our homes and public spaces

- interesting activities for children, including Origami workshops, storytelling sessions and a traditional games corner

The evening will close with an electrifying Drum Jam performance by Drum Circle, where everyone joins the beat!

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014
Time: 10 am to 7 pm
Venue: TERI Lawns, 4th Main, Domlur II Stage, Bangalore 560071

For more details on products, services, updates and more, please check out The Green Bazaar Facebook page.

Missing the sparrows in Bangalore

Today, March 20, is World Sparrow Day.

During my childhood in Bangalore in the 1970s-80s, sparrows were a part of our everyday life, much the way rock pigeons just merge with the high-rise landscape today. 

Scores of sparrows would be all over the backyard, chirping on the pomegranate and guava trees. Unafraid of humans, the sparrows hopped around on the ground whenever mom cleaned the rice, in expectation of falling grains. (Yes, the rice used to have stones that needed to be removed, and chaff that would blow away in the wind as the rice was tossed up and down on the "morram".)    

My friends and I would spend time counting the males and females, that are easily distinguishable. One of our story books had a tale about why the male has black marks on its neck while the female does not. I couldn't remember the story, but after searching the internet, found a blog post on this that can be read here.  

There were times when we would see the vagabond Tom cat sneakingly stalking the unsuspecting birds as they drank from the pond, and we would run to chase the fellow away with the satisfaction that we have saved them. 

It was not uncommon to see sparrow nests between the inner and outer layers of our house's tiled roof. After the babies were out, and the nest abandoned, we'd be fascinated by the intricate construction and warmth that enabled the propagation of the species.  

House Sparrow - Male, Bandipur, May 2009 

Slowly, and rather surreptitiously, the sparrows vanished from Bangalore. Common people who may have hardly noticed their disappearance, would be reminded of them years later, only when they found the birds jump onto their tables at Bangalore's Devanahalli airport. 

There are many theories about why the sparrows may have left Bangalore. Over the last few years, several efforts have been made to bring them back. Last year, Gubbi Labs complied a small book "Of House Sparrows and Human Settlements", that gives the distribution of House Sparrows in Bangalore. The book can be read/ downloaded here.   

Sparrows have been conspicuous by their absence in the Puttenahalli Lake/ JP Nagar area. As urban house birds, the lake environment currently may not be conducive to house them. However, people in the neighbourhood can try to get them back into the area. To know how, please read here.   

In Mumbai north suburbs, where I currently live, sparrows are abundantly found, and I'm happy that the children around here share some of my childhood sparrow joys. Wish the same for Bangalore too.

   

Report on the workshop on lakes

Yesterday's workshop organized by Save Bangalore Lakes Trust and Citizens' Action Forum in association with the Rotary Bangalore Junction was very well attended by individuals and different lake groups across the city. It was held at  the Senate Hall, Central College. 

To encourage the nascent lake groups, success stories of rejuvenated lakes at Akshaya nagara, Byrasandra, Kaikondanahalli and our Puttenahalli were presented. 

Speaking on behalf of PNLIT, I chose to focus on community involvement which has been our strength. Some of the ways by which we have tried to involve the neighbourhood and to promote a sense of ownership are weekend volunteering, birthday/nature walk, story telling and the recent fundraising among many others. The increasing support we have received is reflected in the amounts of Rs. 4,800 we raised during Earth Day in April 2010 to the Rs. 4.58 Lakh in Sept. 2013 towards maintaining our lake. 

The audience appreciated our inclusive approach and asked several questions ranging from how we share information with the neighbourhood (mails, the black painted security cabin wall on which we chalk announcements), activities to spread awareness, on tree planting, etc. 

For PNLIT, it was a good opportunity to know about other lakes in the city and their journey to renovate them. I was particularly impressed by the remarkable 20 year old legal battle fought to protect and reclaim Byrasandra lake. It was an inspiring, humbling experience to hear Mr. Venkata Subba Rao. His success story can be read about here.

Sincere thanks to all.

Usha

March 22 is World Water Day. Don't take a rain check on it.

Reposting a message from The Alternative

This World Water Day, come engage with water in Bengaluru and how to save it.

Catch Every Drop Bengaluru

Bangalore is fast running out of water. There is no source today that can address the 1.3 billion litres of water that we need every day. Not the Cauvery river that is 100 kms away and provides for less than 50% of the population’s water needs. Not the private tankers that are scourging for water inside 4 lakhs borewells that go deeper and deeper everytime. Not the much exploited groundwater that was once recharged by 262 lakes and tanks that have now mostly vanished. If forecasts go right, at the current consumption rate, we have about 2 months of water supply left in the city.

The upcoming monsoon is our one chance to make sure the near future and after isn’t dry.

This World Water Day, 22nd and 23rd of March, we invite you to engage with water and how to save it – in your home, office, apartment and across the city.

March 22, 2013, Max Mueller Bhavan, Indiranagar, 6 pm - 9 pm
Water Matters: An interactive panel discussion featuring water experts - 1.3 billion litres/day in a drying city, where do we go from here? 
with Rohini Nilekani, Vishwanath Srikantaiah, Sekhar Raghavan and Usha Rajagopalan
What water means to me: A photo exhibition curated by Korkai, shot by citizens across India, through the Worth of Water online contest.

March 23, 2013, across the city
Savings on the house: Open Houses with water champions in homes and apartments across the city that have implemented model water conservation measures. 
The Lake Diaries: Photo walks along lakes in the city, led by professional photographers
Walk in the park: Guided tours and demos in the Rain Water Harvesting theme park, Cubbon Park and the Waste  Water Treatment Theme Park.

Come engage to save, harvest, recycle and refresh water in the city.

Log on to www.thealternative.in/catcheverydrop for everything that’s happening on 22^nd and 23^rd of March, plus tons of water conservation tips, ideas, success stories, expert insights and more!

Catch Every Drop is a campaign on water conservation in Bengaluru, run by The Alternative, a media platform for sustainable living, sponsored by Arghyam, with partners India Water Portal and Biome Environmental Solutions.

Namma Bengaluru Awards Night 16th March 2013

For the second consecutive year, PNLIT is one of the shortlisted nominees of the Namma Bengaluru Awards - for 2012!

The Namma Bengaluru Awards, instituted by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation, will be presented this Saturday 16th of March at 6 pm at the Malleshwaram Grounds. The awards will be given away in a glittering event of music, dance and entertainment. 

Total of 53 finalists in 9 categories will vie for the prestigious NBA.

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A 20 member jury, under the Chairmanship of Pradeep Kar, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Microland, consisted of prominent citizens of Bengaluru from the fields of art and culture, music, literature, law, media and environment. The jury, after serious deliberations spanning over four sessions over eight weeks, short-listed 53 finalists in nine categories. Of this, names of 11 winners will be announced on Saturday.

Internationally renowned audit and process firm KPMG were engaged as audit partners to ensure transparency in the process of nomination and selection of the winners.

"The Namma Bengaluru Awards selection process reached a different level this year. From the enormous number of nominations (61,000+) to the tremendous quality of nominations. It was truly a very difficult process to select one amongst the finalists, all of who deserved to win the award. It is truly gratifying to see the selfless commitment of these individuals and organizations, most of whom go unrecognized in their journeys. I am delighted that the Namma Bengaluru Foundation has chosen to recognize these selfless leaders/organisations, all of who are making an immense difference to our city, silently." said Pradeep Kar, at the final deliberation of the nominations today.
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Entry to the Awards function is free and citizens can come and enjoy an evening of pride, glitz and glamour. The entire awards ceremony will be webcast live.

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Read the full article with all the details and see the list of the 53 shortlisted nominees here.

Good luck PNLIT!

Flamingo Festival 2013

The enchanting sight of infinite pink spots on the marshy Sewri mudflats is enough justification for a ride into this dusty, smoky industrial part of south Mumbai. Located along the Arabian Sea, on the eastern coast of the island city, the Sewri (pronounced Shivdi) Jetty is where the Mumbai Port Trust, Tata Electricals, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the refineries of ONGC, BPCL and HP are located. Dominated by mangroves, it is also the place where 15,000-17,000 migratory flamingos spend a few months every year (generally October-March).

Click the pics to enlarge 

Infinite pinks spots with the backdrop of oil refineries

Of the five flamingo species of the world, two species, the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo are found in India. Mainly resident in Gujarat (presumed Rann of Kutch region) during the breeding season, they are known to winter in warmer parts of India including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Greater Flamingo is one of Bangalore's winter migratory birds, but sightings over the past few years have been occasional, and restricted to select locations like Madiwala Lake and Halagur Lake. The Lesser Flamingo does not come to Bangalore, probably because its diet comprises mainly of algae found in alkaline waters that are absent in the city. 

The Flamingo Festival is a one-day event organized by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) at Sewri mudflats every year. During the event, the public gets an opportunity to see the white Greater Flamingo (about 1,500-2,000) and the pink Lesser Flamingo (about 15,000), apart from several other birds (darters, egrets, gulls, herons, ibises, kingfishers, pigeons, plovers, sandpipers, terns …) under the guidance of BNHS experts. An exhibition attempts to educate the public on flamingos and how we can help in protecting them. With its breeding habitat under threat, the Lesser Flamingo numbers have been on the decline and it is presently classified in the IUCN Near-Threatened List.    

Flamingo Festival, Sewri, 9th March 2013

After repeated postponement of this must-see Mumbai sight, there was no better day than today (9^th March 2013), the day of the Flamingo Festival, for my family to make the trip to the mudflats. And we have absolutely no regrets!

Conserving the habitat of the Greater Flamingo in Bangalore will bring it back to the city. Bangaloreans need to go for it. Maybe one day they will stop over at Puttenahalli Lake!

Pink flamingos with a sheet of white gulls in the background

Several other birds spotted in flight and on the mud

Boys on mud skis disturb the peace, making the flamingos move around

A crowd on the jetty

The rising tide brings the flamingos closer up for a better view

Greater flamingos just a few metres from the jetty

Abandoned boats along the coast spoil the view,
but they provide shelter to some species of birds, fish, crustaceans and others

BNHS had shuttle buses to carry visitors between Sewri (E) Station and Sewri Jetty

Binoculars at regular intervals give a close-up view,
BNHS guides help with bird IDs and info

Flamingo information, tattoos, paintings and more!

Madiwala Lake and Mysore - the two Karnataka spots for the Greater Flamingo

Ancient birds

Flamingo tattoos for adults...

... and children

Prize-winning paintings from a competition on flamingo conservation

Span your wings. Which bird are you?

Ref: Bombay Natural History Society promotion material 

Pics: Arathi Manay

Human Chain for Arekere Lake, 16th Feb '13

Arekere Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (ANIT) is doing everything it can, to properly save Arekere Lake. The lake is located not far from Puttenahalli Lake, on the other side of Bannerghatta Rd. Please see the map below which shows the location of Arekere Lake.   

Click to enlarge

A human chain has been planned on 16th Feb 2013, Saturday @ 9 a.m. starting at Maruti Magnolia School (red circle on the map). Please do join the effort to create more awareness about lakes in general and Arekere Lake in particular. The programme is below.    

Click to enlarge