Lakes

Today, 28th September 2014, Bangalore is playing host to the first ever Red Bull Flugtag in India. Red Bull Flugtag (Flugtag=flight day) is an event organized by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly home-made, size- and weight-limited, human-powered flying machines (max 10m/30 ft, 150 kg/330 lbs). The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 30 feet (9.1 m) high into the sea (or suitably sized reservoir of water). Most competitors enter for the entertainment value, and the flying machines rarely fly at all. The first Red Bull Flugtag competition was held in 1991 in Vienna, Austria. It was such a success that it has been held…

In an effort to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and resulting ground water table depletion in hte city, citizen groups, NGOs and other organizations, active in the area of lake and water security for Bangalore, have come together to form One Bengaluru for Lakes (OBL). The group aims to raise 'One Bengaluru, One voice, One Demand' by reaching out to people to increase their awareness and involve them in the protection of lakes in their neighborhood. As part of this campaign, OBL organised a seminar on September 21 at Senate hall of Central College, Palace Road. The session opened…

Anyone who has lived in Bangalore for some time will fondly remember the pleasant climate, flowers blooming and the city roads covered with flowers of all hues and colours. Alas, it is no more like this today, and the city is competing with Kolkata and Chennai in summer temperatures, and vast stretches of our water-starved city are left to the mercy of water tankers. Rapid urbanisation, unplanned development and a free run to land mafia has led to massive encroachment of lake land, raja-kaluves and large-scale exploitation of underground water. Today, 85-90% of lakes have turned dry and are sitting…

One Bengaluru for Lakes (OBL) is conducting a seminar "One Bengaluru, One Voice, One Demand" on 21st September 2014 at Senate Hall, Central College. Please attend the seminar to get an update of the current situation of Bangalore's lakes, what the Government proposes to do, the idea of One Bengaluru for Lakes, and the key demands and action plan sought from the Government. Open to the public. No registration needed.  Please also visit www.greenpeacex.in/p/OBL and sign the demand to ask "ASK KARNATAKA CM TO IMPLEMENT 6 STEPS TO SAVE BANGALORE LAKES".    

Another ‘Cycle Day’ was successfully conducted by Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) in partnership with Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Urban Development Department, Government of Karnataka and BCOS - in Yelahanka New Town next to Allalasandra Lake this 14th September 2014, Sunday morning (6:30 to 10:30 a.m.).   The last Cycle Day was held a couple of months ago and can be read about here. Cycle Days are being organized with the objective of popularizing cycling within the locality thereby helping in reducing motorized traffic, reduce pollution, reduce fuel consumption and improve health and fitness.   Around 4500 citizens including Honorable Speaker of…

A week has sped by but the story telling event we had on Sept. 6th in collaboration with The Storywallahs is so vivid in our minds as if it took place, well, today. The occasion for special too - celebrating International Literacy Day.  The day was murky from morning and when it began to rain at around 2 p.m., we were relieved. If it rains now surely it won't during the story telling. We reached the lake well in advance, set out the registration counter and ... it rained. We took the table to the gazebo, wiped it dry and…

Where there is water, there is life. And Narasipura Kere has it all.   First it was the birds,  then the amphibians and  Now it's time for the snakes  !   The Pancharatna Plus of Narasipura Kere are delighted to invite you to the Snake Awareness program.   Date: Saturday, 13th September 2014 Time: 1600-1700 hours Place: Just Books, Vidyaranyapura   Mr Sharath Babu, former Honorary Wildlife Warden, Bangalore Urban will be conducting the session.   To register for the session please call/e-mail JustBooks, Vidyaranyapura Phone: 23644501 Email: Frontoffice Vidyaranyapura <frontoffice@vrp.justbooksclc.com>This is open to all age groups, and there is no entry fee. Also, you do not…

PNLIT is happy to announce a unique story telling + activity event for children.   Let your children listen to TWO exciting stories: The Generous Crow Kaka and Munni.    The story tellers are Nupur Aggarwal and Parvathi Om from the reputed The Storywallahs!http://www.thestorywallahs.com/   And hey!! That's not all. Let your kids engage in delightful paper craft with our experts!   All this fun for only Rs.100 per child. Admission restricted to 50 kids only.    Hurry! Register NOW! A free gift from PNLIT awaits your child! To register, please sms Nupur 9886629769/ Sapana 9880554136 or email puttenahalli.lake@gmail.com.   Date: Saturday,…

With the 5th day of Ganesha Chaturthi (2nd September) past us, the festival in Bangalore has more-or-less ended for the year. Government departments and citizen groups that are closely associated with lakes must be reviewing the impact of the festival on the water bodies. In recent years, the BBMP, NGOs and other local groups have been putting in a lot of effort before the festival, educating people about the use eco-friendly idols, paints and decorations, and encouraging them to do home immersions so that water bodies are not burdened. Most of the lake groups are well prepared for the festival, planning…

At about 29 acres, Dorai Kere in Uttarahalli, is one of the large water bodies in South Bangalore.  Location of Dorai Kere  In Dec 2010, DNA had reported that the lake was being restored by the BBMP at a cost of Rs 8 crore, including a sewage treatment plant (STP) to treat 1 MLD of sewage. One corner of the lake currently houses the STP. With a track along the bund, and lots of greenery, the lake is a nice place for morning walkers and joggers (despite a number of stray dogs). It is also a good place for bird…