City: Bengaluru

The uncleared garbage in the city is raising the stink. Residents are unhappy, government departments are pointing fingers at each other, those living near landfills are protesting; but the city still does not have a comprehensive solid waste management policy. Mavallipura landfill. Pic: Sankar C G The policy is being drafted for over a year now. Last September, a BBMP official told Citizen Matters that the policy will go for Council approval shortly. One year on, there is no draft policy in sight and not very surprisingly, the same statement is being repeated. “The policy that we have framed will…

We are taught, from childhood, to abhor and fear “creepy-crawlies”... those life-forms which we see under stones, on walls, or even on our vegetables! But it can be a revelation that these creatures, which we regard with fear and loathing, and usually kill at the first opportunity, can sometimes be on their way to becoming very beautiful beings!Take a look at this fat green caterpillar, for instance. Common Lime: Green Caterpillar. Pic: Deepa Mohan This may look gross and fat. It is fat, because it is, right now, a larva. It is eating enough to last it through the next…

The scene is almost identical each time. Whenever anyone sees me at the lake -- and if they know that I am part of the team responsible for the lake being rejuvenated the way it is -- they come to thank me first and then quickly proceed to offer me advice on the BBMP and the government. “Don’t trust them”… “they are a bunch of crooks,”… “Don’t get further involved with the government.” Fencing around kaikondrahalli lake. Pic: Shilpi Sahu I tell these people that this lake could not have and would not have been rejuvenated the way it has,…

As you walk up the 22nd cross of the 17th main in the 3rd sector of HSR Layout, the lush green around the unplastered house, is not something you will miss. This is Hombelaku - the Kanavi residence in HSR layout. 'Hombelaku'- Kanavi residence in HSR Layout. Pic: Anisha Nair A vintage brass bell hangs outside for a doorbell. Bright sunlight seeps through large skylights and a strong aroma of incense sticks greet you. This is HSR Layout’s famous green concept house. Karunaprasad Kanavi, 50, the son of Chennaveera Kanavi - the popular Kannada poet, and Vishakha Kanavi, 44, an…

The residents of Bank of Baroda Colony in JP Nagar VII Phase can now sleep peacefully, the three stone cutting units have finally shut down.  I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported this cause and a special thanks to Meera (Co-founder Citizen Matters) and Abhishek (journalist from Citizen Matters) for their continued and invaluable support in this cause - Rahul Rai The three units had been functioning from 1988. After continuous follow ups with KSPCB officials, for over a year, the residents of Brigade Palm Springs, an apartment complex behind stone cutting units have won the battle.…

Anand Kumar, a volunteer, Garden City Farmers Trust (GCFT) and a software engineer, was pleasantly surprised at the turnout at Sunday’s gardening mela - Oota from your Thota. He said, “The Facebook page (Organic Terrace Gardening or OTG) has around 2000 subscribers so I was expecting a smaller crowd. But it turns out that a lot of people are very curious and enthusiastic about farming in their backyard.” He was also surprised by the thoughtful questions that were asked about organic farming. “People are taking this very seriously now,” he added.Oota from your Thota on Kitchen Gardeners' day was held…

Shashi Kumar, Assistant Executive Engineer, BBMP, filed an FIR against a Chandramouli Reddy on August 4th, for illegally dumping the silt and debris on survey no. 69/1, Haralukunte, 15th B Main, 21st cross of Sector III, HSR layout. Silt and debris being dumped in an open site. Pic: Anisha Nair Kumar says, “Earlier, when the residents complained, we went and filed a complaint in the police station. But the same dumping event happened again and that’s when I went and filed an FIR against the accused.” When the residents went and asked Reddy to stop dumping, he responded with abusive…

BWSSB is all set for a 90 MLD (Million litres per day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Amanikane in Thubarahalli near Marathahalli. BWSSB officials claim this project is to stop channelising sewage water to Bellandur Lake and this in turn will preserve the lake. Untreated sewage water into Bellandur Lake. Pic: Sankar C G However, a Citizen Matters investigation has revealed that the proposed STP is not going to save Bellandur lake. Amanikane is 10 kms away from Bellandur Lake. The sewage water coming from Bangalore has to go through Bellandur lake before it reaches the site where the Amanikane…

A friend recently posted pictures of her daughter at the dining table attempting to demolish a cake all by herself. To say that she was covered in chocolate would be an understatement.I was feeding the younger child when I spotted the picture and laughed out loud. In a minute the slightly harried atmosphere around me - baby refusing to eat, older child whining about what was on his plate, turned lighter. A kid eating all by itself. Pic: Reshmi Chakraborty Sometimes in Mommyland, it does you a whole lot of good to laugh. It eases the situation when it seems…

Dear Sri Ananth Kumarji Greetings You have been pursuing to name BIAL as Kempe Gowda International Airport for his contribution to the city, which is a good move. It is unfortunate that the central government is delaying.We are all aware of contribution of Sir M Visvesvaraya's to the development of industry and infrastructure in Bangalore. He was responsible for designing Jayanagar and many other localities which are very planned by his vision and innovation.Since the Bangalore Metro was conceived during Atalji's government under your leadership as Union Urban Development Minister, as voters of Bangalore South Parliamentary constituency we request you…