Articles by Arathi Manay Yajaman

Over the last ten days, there has been much excitement among the residents of the Lower Ambalipura Lake area. This 7-acre water body, off Sarjarpur Main Road, is home to several species of birds through the year, but Painted Storks, one of Bangalore's water birds, have been only ocassionally spotted here, singly or in pairs. A Painted Stork at Lower Ambalipura Lake, March 2014, Pic: Sacha Greenwood On 22nd May, five Painted Storks were spotted together. Five Painted Storks at Lower Ambalipura Lake, 22nd May 2014, Pic: Rajesh Rao It didn't take long for the good word to spread (regarding the…

This election day in Bengaluru — Thursday, 17th April 2014 — the proof of whether you have done your duty will be on your left thumb! Yes, as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the indelible ink shall be applied on the left thumb of voters in Karnataka. Many of you may have decided whom you are going to vote for. For those who are undecided, or wanting to know more about the candidates, here are some links to help you choose or change your mind. What can our MPs do to protect Bangalore's lakes? A point…

Lake boundaries and fencing, sewage inflow, dry inlets, garbage dumping, encroaching hutments, weeds, funding for restoration and maintenance… These are some of the problems faced by Bangalore’s lakes. And these are problems that could be solved by the intervention of the municipality, local corporators and/ or MLAs. Can the MPs help?         "Lakes", as a part of the environment, finds mention in the Constitution of India. Article 51A Part IVA lists eleven Fundamental Duties of every citizen of India, and one of them reads as below. “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India… to protect and…

A well-functioning sewage treatment plant (STP) achieves two things – (1) it handles solid and liquid waste, which otherwise would pollute the earth, and enables its recycling (2) it is a source of usable water (effluent) and fertiliser (sludge). Unfortunately, the STP at Yelahanka New Town 5th Phase, achieves neither. Built by the BWSSB about 10 years ago, spread across 5 acres of land, the STP was supposed to treat about 3MLD. The treated water was to be let into Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake. However, despite huge investment, the STP has never been operated to treat sewage. Instead, the "Waste Water…

The linking of a waste-water treatment plant, a wetland and lake ecosystem could be one method of keeping our lakes full and recharging our aquifers. Jakkur Lake in north Bangalore is one such live example. Steps that have been taken for its revival have seen positive results, which have been documented in Aajwanthi's thesis "Towards a water sensitive city: The story of Jakkur Lake" here. BIOME has planned a visit to Jakkur Lake. Date: Sunday, 6th April 2014Time: 9.00 a.m. Meeting point: Gate of the Jakkur Wastewater Treatment Plant (http://wikimapia.org/4129931/Jakkur-Lake-Paradise-for-Birds )  The tour includes- the waste-water treatment plant- the wetland - the lake-…

True to his promise, the Upa Lokayukta Justice SB Majage visited Yelahanka’s Allalasandra Lake and Puttenahalli Lake on 30th March 2014. As reported earlier, a follow-up of his February inspection was due in the first week of April, but he made it before time. Local groups have been earnestly following up with LDA / Forest Department and BWSSB to resolve the problems faced by the two lakes:  - water quality degradation due to continuous inflow of sewage, through storm water drains, broken sewage chambers and a dysfunctional STP- foul smell- mosquito nuisance- contamination of water in neighbourhood wells and borewells. While…

Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) had planned to commemorate World Water Day at Allalasandra Lake on 29th March, through a drawing/ painting competiton on the theme 'Water', as reported earlier.  The event was well attended, with the participation of more than 150 children from the government schools in Yelahanka and Allalasandra. Winners of the competition, would be presented their prizes in their respective schools in the week ahead.   After the competition, Ms Anna, a researcher from Russia who is currently doing a project with the Water Literacy Foundation headed by Mr Ayyappa Masagi took over. She showed the children shown short…

Over the last few days, the Bangalore edition of The Hindu newspaper has carried two articles on lakes, both involving our Puttenahalli Lake, JP Nagar.   On 26th March, an article titled "Lakes turn into sewage pools" was published. In summary, it reports a complaint made by a citizen regarding the state of the lakes in Bangalore (including sewage and encroachment) despite more than Rs 200 crore of State money having being spent on them over the last six years, which has drawn the attention of the Upa Lokayukta. Many of us know that some of the rejuvenated lakes do…

On Saturday, March 29, 2014 - two lake-related events, one at Domlur (whole day) and the other at Yelahanka (evening)   Domlur - 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 - 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…

The receding rains and the advent of summer is the time when the lush green landscape in Bangalore turns to crisp brown. Rain-fed lakes are just about holding out, trying hard not to become parched playgrounds. This summer-time drying kills off aquatic weeds and gives fresh life to the lakes before the next rains. Lake care-takers get an opportunity to attend to the lake beds, repair silt traps, clear out water inlets, and do other things that need to be done before the onset of the next monsoon. The grass, weeds and many of the plants on lake revetments, dry…