Puttenahalli Lake Update

It's customary to give the good news first but I will reserve them for the end. The bad news is that response to our fund drive is extremely disappointing. In three weeks our collection is only Rs. 75,000 as against a target of Rs. Ten Lakhs! We fervently hope that your generosity will resurface as the financial year comes to an end. Our optimism and drive have seen us overcome one challenge after another. Will we see through this? The answer lies with you, folks! Our Puttenahalli lake is in your hands. 

Now for the good news, ever so many but here are the top ones!

1) The most important one is that BWSSB has diverted the sewage at Aradhana Layout. It no longer enters the lake!  

New chamber

2) After a see saw of "Will the slum dwellers allow BWSSB to replace the underground pipeline or will they stay the work?" BWSSB has got their act together it seems. They began by digging a chamber in the pathway yesterday and are in the process of concretizing it, as even as I write this. Were they spurred by a report in the Hindu dated 2nd March 2020? 

3) Two plants flowered for the first time and sparked off a debate between Nupur and me about which one is better! Her favourite is the Orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia venusta) and mine is the Mickey Mouse Plant (Ochna serrulata). You can decide which of the two you prefer but psst.... mine got its name because the yellow petals fall off leaving the bright red sepals and fleshy black fruit to make it look just like, well, Mickey Mouse! 

Orange Trumpet flower

Mickey Mouse flower with red sepals

Mickey Mouse flower with yellow petals

4) Talk of ganging up to face a common enemy! Two days ago, we heard commotion in the lake basin and saw two Purple swamphens highly agitated and flapping their wings. Our gardeners said a snake must be going to the nest for the birds' eggs. We couldn't see it because the weeds were tall but other birds rushed to the spot and joined the parent birds to drive the snake away. The allies included another swamphen, three Eurasian coots, two Bronze-winged Jacanas, a Red-wattled lapwing and a White breasted waterhen. The Jacanas and the waterhen are particularly shy birds who scoot from the sight of people and here they were rallying around! They collectively brought the snake into the open. What a very long watersnake it was! And yet, it was no match for the birds. They sent it packing beyond the island and then the parent birds went back to their nest while their friends dispersed. It was truly a magnificent show of strength in numbers. 

Do you want to know how you can rally around to help our lake and its denizens? Click on  http://www.puttenahallilake.in/how-to-donate

Regards

Usha 

Update on the sewage inflow issue at the lake

Exactly a month ago, we had informed you about sewage killing our lake (link) and the illegal hutments coming in the way of the drain pipe replacement. Many of you had shared deep concern about this and offered all help. Indeed, your response to our online petition was heartwarming and the number of signatures in this short span is close to the 4000 mark. Sincere thanks to each one of you. You must be eager to know what happened to these two issues - hence this update. 

There is no progress on the rehabilitation of the slum residents. However, on 31st July, we had brought the sewage inflow to the notice of the NGT committee headed by Justice Santosh Hegde. BWSSB Chairman, Mr. Tushar Girinath, who was present at this meeting committed to get it resolved. He kept his word and a week later, replacement pipes were unloaded at the lake. The BWSSB officers began work after reassuring the slum residents that all care would be taken not to damage any of their structures.

Their progress is slow, impeded not only by the houses so close by but also by the rain and the already weak bund. Hence, they are not able to indicate when the work will be completed and when the sewage will begin to flow into the drain. We are also not certain how they will tackle that section in the middle where the houses are built right next to the walkway with the UGD running below. Nonetheless, we are grateful to the BWSSB Chairman, the Chief Engineer (WWM) and the ward officers. To everyone working on the site - good luck and godspeed!   

(Pics: Ramu, one of our gardeners)

The rain which is helping to dilute the sewage also increased the level and led to the lake overflowing yesterday. 

Overflowing (Pic: Ramu)

Lifting our spirits further and adding a bright dash of colour to the grey sky are the deep red flowers of the Cup and Saucer plant and vibrant yellow of the Gaphimia flowers on the chain link fence. They make us marvel, yet again, on the beauty of Nature. 

Cup and Saucer plant (Pic: Rashmi, our manager)

Gaphimia (Pic: Rashmi, our manager)

Heartfelt thanks to you again for your support. 

Best regards
PNLIT team