Puttenahalli Post

Those of you who visited Puttenahalli Lake within the past few months may have noticed small platforms floating in the water. These are Artificial Floating Islands (AFIs) which we "launched" in June this year. The Vetiver and Canna planted in them are growing beautifully. PNLIT trustee Nupur, her husband Pranshu Jain together with our gardener, Jayanna, are the builders of five AFIs. With volunteers from Deloitte making two last Friday we now have seven AFIs.  Artificial floating islands at Puttenahalli lake A coot's nest in one of the floating islands   Deloitte volunteers with the AFIs they made, 25-Nov-2016   Artificial Floating Island…

Our lake cleaners Puttaswamy and Ramakrishna had been removing the weeds from the water and piling them on the slope. However, they were not so keen to remove the drying weed from the slope since it was so much more difficult. Where they lay, the alligator weed and salvinia molesta would no doubt enrich the soil but the alligator weed would begin to sprout.   We were therefore keen on removing it while also making space for more weeds. When our CSR partner Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited (RBEI) asked if their volunteers could work at the lake, we…

The Dance at Dusk organized on 26th April by PNLIT together with the Snehadhara Foundation was truly an event with a difference. Attended by over 60 people, most of them adults, the Gazebo was cramped for space. Some mothers held back their children for safety but ironically, the evening began with a three year old running into the middle of the ring of dancers and twirling her yellow frilly frock. Geetu of Snehadhara persuaded the child to join the group and the music began to play.   After a warming up slow number, Lakshmi from Snehadhara engaged the participants in a brief…

You've cribbed, you've ranted, you've tolerated, you've praised (even if rarely) aspects of our city, Bengaluru. Here's an opportunity to let everyone hear what you think about the way our city is changing. PNLIT and Saaphalya Pramukha Trust are organizing an open discussion on how the city echoes with the many sweeping changes brought about by time and people.    Leading the discussion will be Ms Bhargavi S. Rao, Trustee, Environment Support Group (ESG), Bengaluru and Mr G.V. Dasarathi who promotes sustainable transport (cycling, walking, using a bus).    Venue: Gazebo, Puttenahalli Lake, Near MLR Convention Centre, JP Nagar 7th…

With the Salvinia weed under control and a fair amount of water in Puttenahalli Lake, the ecosystem was slowly recovering. This was after the first heavy rains mid-May. Several bird species that were prominent by their absence in the earlier months were back in the lake waters, among them, a pair of Indian Spot-billed ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha).   The Spot-billed Duck likes freshwater lakes and marshes. It feeds by dabbling in shallow waters and marshland, mainly on plant food like seeds, grasses and aquatic vegetation. It also looks for aquatic insects and their larvae, snails and other molluscs, worms and other small creatures.…

Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) is trying to raise money for the recently revived Puttenahalli Lake through the Mahindra Spark the Rise competitive funding. The entry "PNLIT - Nurturing Puttenahalli Lake back to its pristine glory" is to serve as a template for reviving lakes with active public participation. Your support in the December preliminary round of voting, helped Puttenahalli Lake win a grant of Rs 4 lakh from Spark the Rise. Now a large amount of additional funding is at stake in the Grand Finale of Spark the Rise. Voting for the finale is from 2nd to 15th April…

Peepal or Bo trees are large and erect with shining heart shaped leaves that flutter in the slightest breeze. Seeds in bird droppings let out roots quickly and they grow everywhere, even in little nooks on walls. As its botanical name indicates, Ficus Religiosa is a sacred tree revered in our country. Reluctant to throw away their broken idols or pictures of gods, people leave these at its base. Occasionally they build a temple beside it. Peepal tree planting at the viewing deck 16 Sep 2010. Pic courtesy: PNLIT We planted a Peepal tree in the viewing deck at Puttenahalli…

PNLIT is organising a Nature Walk to explore and discover the rich flora and fauna at the newly revived Puttenahalli Lake in J.P. Nagar 7th Phase. The Nature Walk will be led by Ms. Deepa Mohan of the Bird Watchers Field Club, Bangalore. Date & Time: Sunday 13th November 2011 (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) Venue: Gazebo, Puttenahalli Lake (near the MLR Convention Hall, Brigade Millennium)Registration Fee (Includes Breakfast): Rs.200/participant. Each additional member from the participant's family: Rs.100.  Children between ages 7 and 10 to be accompanied by at least one adult family member. Children below age 7 are not allowed in this Nature…

Bird watching at Puttenahalli Lake today was a huge success. At least 30 people attended. One family came from Jayanagar 4th Block because their little daughter is fascinated with birds and someone had told them about our outing! The very first people to come though were TV9 cameramen and reporter! We asked how they got to know about the bird watching and they said simply that "they have their sources." From 7 am to about 8.30 am, they filmed the lake, the birds, the bird watchers and wanted to know how PNLIT ever thought of organizing a bird watch in…