Articles by Arathi Manay Yajaman

Pelican Bay, California, USA is synonymous with solitary existence. In recent months, the Pelican Bay State Prison has been hitting the news, with inmates and social activists challenging the use of isolation to hold prisoners. The residents of the Alahalli Lake neighbourhood in Anjanapura-JP Nagar 9th Phase, South Bangalore, have been spectators to solitary existence of a different kind. A real pelican has been observed in the lake for the past two weeks, and yes – all alone. Given its large size, it is difficult for the naked eye to miss. Solitary Spot-billed Pelican at Alahalli Lake (Pic: Vikash Kumar)…

Some of the happenings about Bangalore's lakes this past month. Click the links to read the full stories and reports. Ganesha immersions  The days of Ganesh Chaturthi are usually high tension for lake lovers in Bangalore. A couple of weeks before the festival there were reports of how BBMP was gearing up, given that 3 lakh idols were expected to be immersed. There was a lot of publicity to persuade people to get eco-Ganeshas and encourage immersions in mobile tanks. Worshippers though seem to have had other ideas to please God. While there is no accurate record of the actual number of Ganeshas sold or…

Extracts from an email from Vishnupriya Hathwar, who frequents Puttenahalli Lake   --------- Just wanted to share somethings that many of you may have already observed [ or maybe not].. here goes !!   Due to the wonderful rains, the lake has filled up quite a bit, leaving only smaller islands for the birds. In this, the most common birds- the Common Coots have chicks that are almost grown to adult size [ only the plumage is still lacking]. Spotted a pair of Coucals - appears that they too have a young one!! Spotted a small Coucal with FRESH plumage flying across the lake.I have personally…

When segregating the wet waste from the dry becomes a habit (to the extent that soiled boxes, plastic packets and tetra packs also are cleaned/ rinsed and dried before going into the dry bin), it becomes difficult to put all the waste into one dustbin, while visiting hotels and other homes. Often I’m tempted to carry my trash back to ensure it is handled appropriately. During a recent visit to Pune though, there was no such temptation. The friends we visited live in a large apartment complex called Camellia on the Baner-Pashan Link Road (about 300 apartments), and here segregation…

The Alahalli Lake cleaning event received good support from the neighbourhood, and could not be ignored by the local MLA, M. Krishnappa.   Anand Yadwad, Managing Trustee of the organisers of this event, Alahalli Lake & Neighbourhood Development Trust (ALNDT) provided this first-hand report.      On Sunday, 25th August morning at 7 am, residents of Alahalli, Anjanapura, Gollahalli, Royal Park Residency and Gurukul School children gathered to clean up Alahalli Lake. The lake which currently falls under BDA is completely ignored by BDA and elected representatives. The residents silently protested against the apathy of the system and took on the…

For many of us, our wallets contain our life history. Mine did, at least till recently. PAN Card, driving licence, voters ID card. Credit cards, debit cards, membership cards, shopping privilege cards. Photos, postage stamps, not-in-use SIM cards, bills, other people’s visiting cards. Money. After a busy morning in the Brookfields area, I had stopped by at Mayura Restaurant in Kundalahalli to satisfy my grumbling stomach. I not only ate but also packed a few things to carry back home to the family. Relieved at having completed most of what I needed to do that morning, I was anxious to…

Alahalli Lake & Neighborhood Development Trust (ALNDT) has organised a lake cleaning activity on Sunday 25th August 2013, 7a.m. to 10 a.m. The public is requested to spare some time to help and support the trust's efforts to bring life back to this lake.  This Sunday's target jobs:- Cleaning the bund area- Removing the plants which are covering the fencing- Tree plantations on the bund- Removing the parthenium and other wild bushes that have grown around the lake. Volunteers can come with comfortable clothing and closed shoes. And if possible, with an apron and whatever gardening tools they have. Arrangements for…

To mark the 66 years of India's Independence, Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust (YPLBCT) organised a clean up drive at the 10-hectare Puttenahalli Lake this morning. The event received an overwhelming response from the neighbourhood, with about 175 people sacrificing their Independence Day holiday morning and turning up at the lake. Notable by their presence were large groups of students from the Yelahanka Seshadripuram College and jawans from the CRPF. Students of Seshadripuram College with YPLBCT Trustee Dr Sangunni   The Honorable MLA of the Yelahanka Constituency, Sri S.R. Vishwanath and the Range Forest Officer of the Forest Department, Sri Appurao also…

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” - Anonymous proverb. So if you haven't yet planted a tree in your lifetime, use the opportunity this coming Independence Day morning and visit Chinnappanahalli Lake (near Marathahalli). The Chinnappanahalli Lake Development Trust (CLDT), with the support of Strategic Outsourcing Services, has organised to plant about 200 saplings. Thursday 15th August, 7:00 a.m. onwards. For more information, please contact Mr Prabhashankar Rai <ps_rai@hotmail.com>. Those in the Yelahanka area can give a hand to the Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust (YPLBCT). Established as a formal trust in…

If we think that with fencing the lake area to prevent further encroachment, planting trees and bushes and nurturing them, eliminating sewage, and getting more rain water into the lake, we have saved the lake, we're in for a surprise. That is just the beginning!     It was last August when a gentle green carpet started spreading itself over the dormant waters of Puttenahalli Lake. PNLIT trustees brought this to the notice of a few experts who said it could be a form of algae, and that the best way to get rid of it was to get more clean water…