Articles by Surya Achari

A narrow walkway curves gently around the edge of Lower Ambalipura Lake in Haralur, flanked by fruit-bearing trees, herbs, and medicinal plants. Birds nest on the island at its centre, and the air carries only the sound of wind as it whispers through rustling leaves. What was once a weed-choked, sewage-contaminated water body is now a thriving urban lake, restored by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2009 and diligently maintained since 2014 by Mahadevpura Parisara Samrakshane Mattu Abhivrudhi Samiti (MAPSAS), a citizens' trust. At the heart of its transformation is Seenappa, the resident gardener, who spends his days…

It’s 6.45 am, and the first rays of sunlight bounce off the dense foliage at Sundaravana, an urban forest located in HSR Layout, Bengaluru. A gentle breeze carries the scent of wet earth. Calls of birds like the Gray Heron, Black Drongos and even the occasional peacock add to the morning chorus. A few early risers and joggers walk on a wide trail around Somansundarapalya Lake. The land around Somasundarapalya Lake wasn’t always a lush canopy. For years, it served as an RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) dump yard, with layers of processed plastic waste piling sky-high. But afforestation turned the tide.…

Every day, they show up, in the relentless heat or pouring rain. Bengaluru's outdoor workers — traffic police, auto drivers, pourakarmikas, construction workers, street vendors and gig workers — battle dehydration, exhaustion, and health problems in extreme weather with hardly any relief. They keep the city running but get little in return. This photo-essay puts a spotlight on their daily struggles and calls for urgent heat mitigation measures. No exit lane from the heat: A traffic police officer’s account Three hours under the sun daily — not a choice but a daily reality for Assistant Sub-Inspector Satish KP of Bengaluru…

When guests step into Gopala Krishnan and Sangeetha’s 'Midori' Green home in Madipakkam, Chennai, their attention is drawn not to the decor or layout but to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The top halves have high ventilators that remain open day and night—a feature once common in traditional architecture but rare in modern homes. This simple design floods the space with natural light while continuously expelling hot air. "It's the first thing everyone mentions," Sangeetha shares. "The rooms feel brighter, airier, and somehow cooler." Visitors are often surprised to learn that the couple uses air conditioning for only a few hours during…