Efforts on to stop a sudden sewage inflow into the lake

On 13th April, a sunny Monday, we saw water entering the lake from the rainwater diversion channel at the lake entrance near the Brigade Millennium arch. It was so little that we thought it to be the usual wash from the adjacent MLR Convention Centre. 

However, a couple of days later when we found it increasing in volume and forming a black stinking mass in front of the diversion channel at the lake bed, we immediately informed BWSSB and BBMP. BWSSB's Junior Engineer, Mr. Nagaraj came to inspect the spot. He said that the sewage drain connected to Brigade Millennium was blocked, because of which the sewage was getting diverted into the storm water drain. This is the way the system has been designed. He got a regular Jetting Machine to clear it. This was on 16th April, but it did not work for it turned out that silt or something in the drain was preventing the flow. 

Jetting Machine, 16th Apr 2015

Then BWSSB sent a De-silting Machine but this did not work either. Karnataka Bandh on Saturday and Sunday held up the investigation and problem solving work. Yesterday, 22nd April, BWSSB engineers brought a heavy duty Jetting Machine from the sub division office.  It was a really huge machine which hampered evening traffic and yet even this was unable to remove the blockage. 

Heavy duty Jetting Machine, 22nd April 2015

Sewage entering the lake

Today, many officials from BWSSB came to inspect the place, along with another of the large machines.

23rd April 2015

They found that the pipe is blocked with big stones and these machines that they've been bringing will not help resolve the situation.They will get a JCB tomorrow, to dig till about 8 feet to get access to the stones to remove them. The source of the stones will be ascertained. Then it is hoped that everything will be alright. Then they will construct a chamber. It is expected that this will take 2 days.

We will continue to coordinate with BWSSB till the problem is resolved. 

Pics: Nupur Jain

Making the dream of a water-filled lake a reality

There has been much excitement at Puttenahalli Lake, JP Nagar this past week. With the onset of summer, there is not much water in the lake but it is expected that this will not be for long. PNLIT's "get water in the lake" project is closing in on another milestone.    

A couple of years ago, a diversion channel to let storm water into the lake was completed by the BBMP. Apart from harvesting rain water, this move proved to be important in preventing the flooding of low-lying areas near the lake. Though the water level in the lake did rise during the monsoons, it was evident that this storm water would not be adequate.    

One of the questions often raised by visitors to the lake has been "Why is there so little water in the lake?" Last year, around the same time, I had written a post about summer lakes which can be read here. The option of letting treated water from a neighbourhood sewage treatment plant (STP) into the lake seemed to be a viable one, provided the quality of the water met the required standards. The L&T-built South City apartment complex that is located very close to the lake has a functional STP, so we approached the association to explore the possibility of getting its treated water, and have been treading cautiously. After painstakingly arresting any sewage flow into the lake over the past few years, the last thing we would want is a lake full of muck! Better less water than sewage water.  

Now coming back to the excitement at the lake. On 28th March 2015, the Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Dr Acharya, visited the lake for a cleaning drive that had been jointly organised by KSPCB, BBMP, SUGRUHA (South City association) and PNLIT. Upa Lokayukta Justice Adi and BBMP Chief Engineer (Lakes) Mr BV Satish were also present. Volunteers from the neighbourhood, young and old spent their morning in clearing the lake bed and bund. Saplings of trees that can grow in water were planted in the lake bed, and poles to serve as bird perches were also fixed. 

 Pic: KSPCB

Pic: Sanchayan Nath

More pictures can be seen here and in the linked reports.     

During this visit, the KSPCB Chairman Dr Acharya also inspected the STP at the South City apartment complex. After several months of work, the water from the STP had finally passed the quality standards. PNLIT trustees and South City representatives had met with Dr Acharya a few weeks ago to seek permission to release the treated water into the lake. After this visit, he was satisfied. Oral permission has been granted while written permission is awaited. This means that excess water from the STP instead of being fed into the underground drainage system can be let into the lake. At least 400 kilo litres per day! The connection pipe between the lake and South City's STP needs to be laid. Once this is done and a water monitoring system is installed, the lake will be ready to receive the treated water. The water quality will be closely monitored. A picture of a lake full of water is already taking shape in everyone's minds. People are waiting to see it!             

The conditions under which KSPCB has decided to let a private apartment's STP outflow into a public lake on a trial basis, the efforts involved and photographs can be seen in various related reports: 
KSPCB blog 
Bangalore Mirror 
Deccan Herald 
DNA online 
The New Indian Express. 

World Water Day - Let's clean our lake!

With our trees sprouting new leaves or bursting into flower, each day is a celebration of our lake. The World Water Day (March 22nd) is but an excuse for us to get together and do our bit for Water. Post Ugadi, please join us on Sat. 28th March to clean the dry parts of the lake bed. Help us remove the plastic, pull out weeds and plant bamboo perches for the birds. For just a couple of hours of work on one day in a year, get the satisfaction of preparing your lake for the monsoon. 

We are delighted to have the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board as our partner in this lake clearing drive.

Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Venue: Puttenahalli Lake, near MLR Convention Hall

Tender new leaves

Pink Cassia flower bud sprays

Good site for planting bird perch

To ensure that we have enough garden equipment for all volunteers, please confirm your participation with a reply to this mail.  Children below 15 years can work with you on the bund, de-weeding, mulching, etc. There will be plenty of work for all!   

With Ugadi greetings.

Usha

Bird watch update - Storks and Herons

We are delighted to see avian visitors returning to the lake after a year! Yesterday, heedless of the hot afternoon sun, we spotted a Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork and a Grey Heron together with a resident Egret, foraging for food. They were so close to each other that all four can be seen in one frame. 

Grey Heron, Asian Openbill, Egret, Painted Stork

Asian Openbill

Asian Openbill and Grey Heron

Painted Stork

Our other resident heron, the Purple Heron, kept close to the bulrushes near the wetland. We realized later that it was keeping an eye on its young one lurking in the bulrushes. We will photograph the juvenile when it decides that the outside world is not such a bad place!

Usha

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

Highlights of Lake Alive: the Puttenahalli Kere Habba

Report by Usha Rajagopalan

The morning of the Kere Habba on 21st Feb. saw over 30 volunteers coming as early as 7 a.m. and setting to work stringing festoons between trees, paper lanterns, sticking event posters, and more. Almost ALL the decorative items were "home made" by children and adults. Snehadhara Foundation did likewise with sketches and artefacts painstakingly done by their children. Many hands made for quick work and it was all done in a couple of hours. It was time for a sumptuous breakfast made and served fondly by Krishna, South City and Pavithra from Brigade Millennium. 

Volunteers at work

Children too!

Decorations

By the time the first of the visitors arrived, the shamiana was up adding to the festive atmosphere. "Lake Alive" being an event of, for and by the people we didn't have to wait for a VIP Chief Guest. Mrs. Leela Nagarajan, the craft guru of the day, lit a lamp and the sessions began, not just in the Gazebo but also at the Viewing Deck and along the coconut grove.

The birds in the lake were not in the least fazed by the drumming, the children running or shouting. They continued to fly and fish, to the delight of the bird watchers and photographers. The stars of them all were a pair of Pied Kingfishers which hovered in the air and dived and fought with each other for the catch! Equally oblivious of everything was another star, cartoonist Ananth Shankar who sketched, sketched and sketched even as dusk fell!

 Drumming with Djembe

Pied Kingfishers

 Children with potted plants that were given away free

Cartoonist Ananth Shankar at work

Photos above, courtesy Snehadhara Foundation, Deepa Mohan, Ajay Madan.

For more photos, please see these links

SK Srinivas's pics

Deepa Mohan's pics

OP Swaminathan's pics.

For media coverage of the Puttenahalli Kere Habba  

The New Indian Express

Deccan Herald 

TV9

Our guesstimate of the number of people who visited the Habba is about 700. The best laid plans often go awry in its execution but thanks to our volunteers, we had an event that went off smoothly. They were more than 60 and it would make a very long list indeed but our heartfelt thanks to each of them. Sincere thanks also to India Water Portal for partnering Lake Alive with PNLIT. The Kere Habba is an initiative of the Namma Bengaluru Foundation. 

A sneak peek before tomorrow's Puttenahalli Kere Habba

Sincere thanks to our neighbourhood clean-up crew at Puttenahalli Lake, 15th Feb 2015 (Pic: Vishnupriya) 

A glimpse of Snehadhara Foundation's work in progress - getting ready for its role at Puttenahalli Kere Habba.

A few enthusiasts did the bird count at our lake during the Bangalore Bird Count last weekend. Despite the several constraints, natural and man made, we are happy to report that as many as 28 species were spotted at our lake. If you would like to spot these birds and/learn basics of photography, please join the exclusive session for beginners at the Puttenahalli Kere Habba 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Nature walks also scheduled. No charge. (Red-wattled Lapwing, Pic: Sowmya Basker) 

Children, if allowed, would love to squish in soil! Let them do just this at the Puttenahalli Kere Habba. They will learn the basics of gardening in "Pot a Plant." The seedling they plant will be theirs to keep. To nurture, water and see it grow. No charge. (Pic: taken on 17th July 2010 at the first tree planting day at Puttenahalli Lake). 

Other no-charge events at the Habba include Free Wheel, Fly a Kite, Sail a Boat, Craft Making, Drip Drop - help install an irrigation system, Film Show, Live Music. Some events may be more appropriate for certain age groups. Food will be on sale - yummy varieties of chat, gulab jamuns, kulfis, juice, peanuts and more!   

See cartoonist Ananth Shankar in action, and get a chance to buy a personalised illustration at a special rate.

Make your child a Lake Rakshak. Charge inclusive of photo in an exquisite limited edition "Lake Alive" photo frame specially created for Puttenahalli Lake by cartoonist Ananth Shankar.

Brighten up your home or office with a painting for a cause! AUCTION AT KERE HABBA. Two talented amateur artists from our locality, Shrishti and Shana, have donated a few of their pieces to be auctioned at the Puttenahalli Kere Habba 2015. The amount raised will go towards PNLIT's efforts at maintaining the lake, and other neighbourhood activities. The money will be most welcome since PNLIT is dependent on donations from individual well wishers. NINE art pieces can be yours to keep. Make your best offer on the spot and help the lake.

Puttenahalli Lake map and schedule for the Kere Habba 

Now that you know what you're going to miss, be there! 3 p.m. onwards. More details here.

Lake Alive: Puttenahalli Kere Habba 2015

Please join us at Lake Alive: Puttenahalli Kere Habba 2015 on Saturday 21st February. 

The festivities will start from 3 p.m. and go on till 7 p.m. See the schedule below for the exciting sessions. Entry is free and open to all.  

Kere Habba is an initiative of the Namma Bengaluru Foundation to promote conservation of lakes. Partnering PNLIT in this event is Arghyam's India Water Portal. 

Do share this announcement in your community forums, with family and friends. 

We look forward to sharing the enjoyment of the kere and the habba with you on 21st February. 

Best regards,

Usha

Chairperson, PNLIT

The Planned Schedule

At "The Anchor"

3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Craft Making

3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Live Music

4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Djembe Djembe

4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Craft Making

5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Djembe Djembe

5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Auction of art pieces 

6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Craft Making

6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Film show

Faunatoon Corner

3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Cartoonist Ananth at Work

Foto Fun

3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m  

Photos to be collected at 4:30 p.m and 6:30 p.m.

At "Green Thumb"        

3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  "Pot a Plant" 

Drip Drop

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

Rippling Activities

3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Bird watching/ Photography. For earnest amateurs

4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Nature Walk

5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Nature Walk

6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Nature Walk

Run Kid Run 

3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Fly a Kite  

3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Free Wheel

Toddler Tub     

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Sail a boat    

Calling volunteers for Puttenahalli Kere Habba on Saturday 21st Feb 2015

PNLIT is pleased to announce that we are hosting the Puttenahalli Kere Habba on 21st February 2015. This will be the second such event in the celebrating lakes festival initiative of the One Bengaluru for Lakes and Namma Bengaluru Foundation. The first event held at Kaikondrahalli Lake was an outstanding success. PNLIT is a very small team and our lake is not more than a pond, which, being rain fed, has only a little water. However, it is very much alive and bustling!! 

We are not sure how many visitors will turn up but need to be prepared to educate and entertain them. We have lined up an exciting array of activities for children and adults and need at least 50 volunteers to help us. 

Since several of you volunteers have done such wonderful work at the lake in the past, this message is to invite you to help us make the Puttenahalli Kere Habba 2015 an occasion to remember. The event will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday 21st February. 

Along with conducting the specific activity which will be allocated to you according to your interest, you may have to be our spokesmen as well in talking to the visitors about lake restoration. We will hold briefing sessions for all volunteers. 

Looking forward to hearing from you. Please mail puttenahalli.lake@gmail.com.  

Usha

Bird(s) watch update

Visiting the lake today afternoon was delightful with the recent shower cleaning the dust off the leaves and making the trees look so lush. More number and species of birds were seen including the migratory Garganey ducks. A birder had seen some 15 of them in the morning but we saw only nine ... not that we are complaining. :-)

Garganey Ducks, 2nd Jan 2015

The Pied Kingfisher, a recent but regular visitor is almost always seen hovering above the water, diving or perched too far to be photographed. But not today. So obligingly it drove away a couple of white breasted kingfishers and sat on a dead tree we'd planted in the lake bed. 

Pied Kingfisher, 2nd Jan 2015

Several green bee eaters flitted too fast for the camera. Likewise a Grey Heron and a Purple Heron were too far away. All in all, a lovely time indeed! 

Here's wishing that we get to see more and more birds!

Usha