GENRE: Explainers

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…

With rapid urbanisation and increasing strain on public water supply systems, especially in cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, sustainable water management has become essential. Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) is one of the simplest and most effective methods to address water scarcity, reduce urban flooding, and restore groundwater levels. This guide provides a clear overview of what RWH is, why it matters, how it works, and what it costs. What is RWH? Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) refers to the practice of collecting and storing rainwater for use or directing it into the ground to replenish groundwater. This can be achieved through two main…

Bengaluru’s floods keep getting worse each year. Even before the monsoons arrived, the city was already submerged this year, raising serious questions about mitigation measures. While the state government continues to toot horns about more construction projects, like elevated corridors, tunnels and flyovers, basic storm water drain (SWD) infrastructure remains inadequate and incomplete, leading to urban flooding. For 2024-25, the Karnataka government has allocated ₹2,000 crore to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) under the ‘Karnataka Water Security and Disaster Resilience Initiative.’ In a press release dated May 17, 2025, BBMP had identified 209 flood-prone areas in Bengaluru, with mitigation…

Despite water scarcity, Bengalureans let hundreds of litres of reject RO water down their drains every day without much thought. For every one litre of filtered water, RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifiers waste 3.5 litres of water. But many Bengaluru households don't even require RO purifiers. “RO water purifiers have become a status symbol. Many residents do not know the purpose of the purifiers, let alone the water quality,” says Vinosh M Paul, independent water purifier sales and service technician in Bengaluru. So, do you need an RO unit?  What are RO water purifiers?  Reverse Osmosis (RO) is an advanced…

Ever stepped out to be hit by a blistering wave of heat? When the surroundings felt like a furnace and the body seemed to give up from exhaustion? This is how it was a week ago, when in many parts of India, including Delhi, the mercury touched 40 degrees Celsius, before sudden rainfall drastically lowered temperatures. The high humidity pushed the 'feel-like temperature' to almost 50 degrees Celsius, and the heat wave disrupted daily life.   Now, imagine a long battle with unrelenting heat for weeks or months, stifling communities and threatening livelihoods. Heat waves and chronic heat stress may…

From the Western Expressway Highway if you turn left, you start to see mangroves beyond which lies the Mithi river. Go further towards the Kala Killa bus depot at Dharavi, and you will see a green fence beyond which lies an urban forest. This is the Maharashtra Nature Park that the Maharashtra Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) built with the support of the NGO World Wide Fund for Nature India, starting from 1983. Architect Shriya Bhatia cites this as an example of blue green infrastructure (BGI). Built on a former garbage dumping ground, the park houses indigenous plant varieties and an…

I remember the first time I set up my kitchen garden and finished sowing. The joy in the germination, of seeing something grow is the best. I would talk to my plants every day, water them lovingly, and carefully follow all the advice people gave me, to keep them healthy—adding compost, avoiding overwatering, and sticking to companion planting guidelines. But then they struck!!! PESTS. About a month in, I noticed tiny black insects covering the stems. I later learned they were aphids. Over the years of kitchen gardening, I’ve battled mealybugs, aphids, stem borers, fruit flies—you name it. Some seasons…

Nearly 72% of Bengaluru gets contaminated water. Depending on whether residents get their water from borewells, tankers or from the Cauvery River, the quality varies from one area to another. According to a 2018 survey, 24% of Bengaluru households receive water from both borewells and Cauvery, with a hardness level above the prescribed limit of 200 milligrams per litre (mg/l).  Another study found Total Dissolvable Solids (TDS) range crossing 1,000 parts per million (PPM) per litre in Bengaluru, when the acceptable range is a maximum of 300 PPM. TDS refers to the amount of organic and inorganic material dissolved in…

Although Mumbai has sufficient groundwater, experts opine that it is depleting at a fast rate due to rapid urbanisation and massive construction projects. There's also a lack of clear groundwater regulations and systematic records of private borewells and dug wells.  This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the rules, processes, and penalties associated with digging a borewell and extracting groundwater in Mumbai. Getting permission for groundwater extraction What are the rules for digging a borewell and extracting groundwater in Mumbai? In Mumbai, borewell digging and groundwater management are regulated under the Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act 2009. According to…

Urban Heat Islands (UHI) are areas within cities that experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural counterparts due to human activities, concretisation, and lack of vegetation. Bengaluru, the fifth most populous metropolis (Census of India, 2011) and one of the rapidly growing cities in India, is no exception. In the last two decades, the city has seen a rapid rise in built-up area from 37.4% to 93.3%. The pressure of urbanisation has not only affected the natural and ecological resources but is also impacting the city’s livability because of rising temperature levels. Unlike sudden disaster events like landslides or floods,…