Event on Bengaluru's Lake Ecosystem on 25th Sep 2022 at Puttenahalli Lake

Have you wondered how construction & demolition waste affects lakes? How plants, trees, aquatic animals, birds and other animals are affected around the lake? What can we do about it?

To learn more, here's an event conducted by SAAHAS and Iku at Puttenahalli Lake.

Observe the biodiversity around a restored lake and learn about how the waste dumped in lakes (Sewage, Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, Soild Waste) affects the lake ecosystem. Also get a chance to learn about the best waste management practices for a better environment from the experts.

What: Bengaluru's Lake Ecosystem and how bad management of C&D waste affects it

Where: Puttenahalli lake (JP Nagar), Bengaluru

When: 25th September 2022 (Sunday) from 8 am to 10 am

Registration is Rs 49/person. For details on registration, check this link.

Warmly,

-Sapana

PNLIT Events Coordinator

Update on the Arekere Forest meeting and discussions

The Resident – Arekere Forest Officials meeting on 24^th May 2014 as previously announced went well. It was well attended by about 50 to 60 residents of the neighborhood.

Residents were invited to voice their opinions on what they wanted the Reserve Forest to be and how they in turn could help the Forest Department (FD).

The suggestions coming forth from the residents were as follows:

• ·       That the place should be well secured from all sides to prevent encroachments.

o   FD's answer: No encroachments will be allowed.

• ·         More vigilance for the safety of walkers.
• ·         That there should be more lights and sitting benches.

o   FD: Yes for more benches.

• ·         There should be toilets for public.
• ·         Walking path all around the inner periphery of the Reserve.
• ·         Should make it a good biodiversity area by growing indigenous plants and trees.
• ·         Should try to install bird nesting boxes

  Staff of FD made notes of all that was suggested.

  Next Steps

1.       Residents of the area should come together to clean the place of plastic waste.

2.       Perhaps focus group to be formed to address different aspects as:

a.       Water related issues.

b.      Regeneration of Native species of plants, bushes and trees.

c.       General upkeep of the place.

d.      Amenities related matters, etc.

3.       From the Forest Dept side Mr. Hariprasad who is a Forest Dept staff was deputed by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) to be the coordinator of all future initiatives.

At the end of the discussions the CCF suggested that a group be formed to take this forward, and thus 12 (6 from ladies and 6 from men) person's names have been included in the informal group.

It was also pointed out by the FD official that it is a Forest Reserve and hence it was not realistic to expect all the amenities that are  normally found in a public parks or gardens.

Previous communication on this can be seen here.

Prasanna

Our forest, a stone's throw away

The Forest Department (FD) held an open house meeting at Arekere Reserve Forest yesterday (15th May 2014), to share its concerns and invite suggestions for the healthy existence of this huge urban Reserve in our vicinity.

This initiative has been taken by the individual forest officers who believe in taking inputs from citizens for the betterment of these places. This is a great opportunity to help the FD and in turn help the region to regain some of its past biodiversity glory.

The concerns expressed by the Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF)

* Surrounding residents insensitiveness in disposing garbage inside the Reserve.

* Depletion and even lack of water table – this made the FD abandon its Nursery.

What APCCF expects from the citizens

* Be a part of the decision-making group for rejuvenating the Reserve.

* Give them a hand in areas such as spreading awareness amongst people to keep the place clean and help them do the initial cleaning up.

Expected benefits to the public

* Public will have access to this huge Reserve to enjoy the health benefits.

* Children will have a superb place to discover nature within a stone's throw from where they live.

* As nature lovers we will have a great biodiversity region to observe birds, butterflies and insects, plants and trees and much more.

Facts about this Reserve

* Approximately 40 + 10 hectares.

* Once called Jalari Kaadu – named after the Jalari trees (Shorea Talura).

* Once connected to Bannerghatta National Park.

* Unfortunately the indigenous Jalari and other trees have been mostly replaced with Acacia and Eucalyptus variety of trees.

* The water bodies that were around the forest a few decades back have been drained out and the urban sprawl has taken over.

* Officially called 'Doresanipalya Forest Campus'.

  

The next informal get together with the officials and public is scheduled for Saturday, 24th May 2014 at 4:45 pm at the Reserve. Mr. Sarvanan who has taken the initiative will be updating us on this and other initiatives. Some entertainment and fun for the family is planned to make it an enjoyable evening.

Please come with children and enjoy  the evening at the Reserve, and also be part of the group to help save this fantastic forest.

Prasanna