Making everyday, Earth Day

The first time we celebrated Earth Day was in 2010, to publicize the revival of our Puttakere among  residents in the area. At that point, we had no idea that we were in for a long haul. 

Earth Day 2010 at South City Apartments, Bangalore (Pic: Ashok Das)

In fact, even when we registered PNLIT in June that year, we did so to assist BBMP and ensure that the lake doesn't relapse. Signing an agreement with them in May 2011 and becoming official custodians of the lake meant no turning, or looking, back for us, trustees. Since then, the lake, and we, have come a long way. 

A serene morning at the lake, Apr 2022 (Pic: Nithya)

Folk concert at the lake on 24th Apr 2022 (Pic: Nupur Jain)

Thanks to all who have been a part of this wonderful journey. We look forward to your continued support. Here is a glimpse of life at the lake this April 2022, but there's nothing like visiting it and seeing the wonders for yourself!

Removing litter from the water (Pic: Nupur Jain)

Juvenile Great Cormorant (Pic: Madhurima Das)

Spot-billed Duck family (Pic: Jayashree Govind)

Water lilies abuzz with bees (Pic: Jayashree Govind)

Nesting box in water (Pic: Nupur Jain)

Nesting box occupied by squirrel (Pic: Ramu) 

It does indeed take a community to protect and nurture not just a lake but all natural resources. Wherever we are, let's do our bit to make the world a better place for our children to grow and flourish. Let them not have to fight the battles that we should have fought to make life on earth easier, cleaner, greener. 

Let's celebrate each day as Earth Day! 

Greetings to all. 

PNLIT team

Lake Surprises

The lake never ceases to surprise and delight us. Usually it is a new bird that we spot in the water or flying around, doing a recce. The water level rising gives us another high. Trees shooting up, especially during the rainy season. A new flower, butterfly, dragonfly, an insect never seen before, a snake crossing the path.... the list goes on but this is about the Water Lily. 

We'd planted pink water lilies at various places in the lake late last year and watched with delight when they caught on and started flowering. Our ecstasy turned to agony when a Common Coot decided to build its nest right in the middle of the water lily! Sure enough, it killed the plant with its nest, the eggs hatching, the chicks going all over the leaves and the flowers. We could do nothing but watch the lily die, its end hastened with the onset of summer evaporating the water in just those very spots where we'd planted the lily. 

Oct 2013, Pink Water Lily (Pic: Usha Rajagopalan)

Monsoon began. The rains are still not as much as last year but the level has improved and two clusters of water lily sprouted near the viewing deck. Hmm.. We didn't remember planting any there but perhaps we were wrong. We waited for the familiar pink flower. Today it bloomed and what do you know? The flower is not pink in colour but white!

Aug 2014, White Water Lily (Pic: Nupur Jain)

Usha