Environment

Anirudh Rajashekar, a student from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, alongwith IIM Bangalore’s New Real Estate initiative, is conducting a study to map out water tanker prices in Bangalore to understand the dynamics of the water tanker industry. Their hope is to provide policy recommendations that might improve water access in Bangalore. If you live in an apartment, you can fill this short 15 minute survey to your resident association officer or a member of your management committee. The results of this survey can have a major positive impact in the way water is distributed and managed in Bengaluru.…

Kere Habba had an estimated 2000-3000 visitors on 10th January 2015 for the first in the series of Lake Day series sponsored by Namma Bengaluru Foundation. The focus was on conservation and appreciation of lakes as hubs of community interation, bio-diversity and healthy living. This is an update on how transport, food, water and waste management was handled to make this a green event keeping with the theme of sustainability. Food Expecting more than 2000 visitors, the food team's challenge was to cut down waste generated during the event while ensuring a variety of caterers serving tasty and healthy food.…

When government officials do not perform their duties, we are quick to publicise their shortcomings, but how often do we take the effort to recognise them when they've done a good job?    The Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) on behalf of the citizens of Yelahanka in North Bangalore organised a unique event on 27th December 2014.   Officials from BBMP, BWSSB, Forest Department, Police Department and Ezzy Group were felicitated for all that they have done in Yelahanka during the past year - supporting and coordinating environment-related programs like lake rejuvenation, Cycle Day, wet waste management, kitchen gardening, cleanliness drives…

A panoramic view of Kaikondarahalli lake on Sarjapur road which hosted first Kere Habba. Pic: Akshatha M The serene surroundings of Kaikondanahalli lake on Sarjapur road witnessed an array of activities on Saturday, as a group of like-minded organisations and active citizens from the nearby areas came together to celebrate the rejuvenation and reclamation of the lake. Right from children to the elderly, people belonging to different age groups thronged the venue. For the enthusiastic participants, the day started with a bird walk as early as at 6 am. District-in-Charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi and MP P…

For the past four months or so, we went through research papers, news stories, blogs and other personal accounts on garbage. We met people involved with waste management in the city. And slowly, garbage slipped from being an afterthought to something intimate, tied intricately to the way we live. Some thoughts. My great-grandmother had a sleek cap of silver hair pulled back neatly into a bun like a spun egg. After a tragedy in the family, she became hypertensive, which meant salt was something she could not indulge in. She had recently crossed 40. But she continued to make pickles,…

Come Saturday and Kaikondarahalli Lake in Harlur will witness the first Kere Habba event on its two-kilo metres long trail. Kere Habba is an innovative initiative by Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) to bring public to the lake side and create an awareness to protect and preserve dwindling lakes of Bengaluru. The day-long programme organised by NBF in association with MAPSAS and United Way, Bengaluru, intends to host a bunch of community events which is open for all. In the first of its series, Kere Habba at Kaikondarahalli Lake will feature a whole lot of events such as informative green workshops,…

Soil and Soul brings to you a unique workshop on water that will cover two different challenges we are facing globally: - Understand the natural water cycle and its interconnectedness with our food - Various steps to inculcate as our lifestyle and to contribute back to earth's regeneration cycle - Entire water healing & dynamisation process  based on our experiential learning - Various practical methods to implement in water conservation - Screening of a Film - Explore sustainable lifestyle choices we have in our lives - DIY - Making your own Natural Alternatives for Mr. Muscle, Harpic, Fabic Conditioner, Vessel…

Organising a plant/tree/insects walk in the Arekere Reserve Forest was as interesting as taking a group for a birding or wildlife trail... In fact, it was more so, indeed, because a very knowledgeable and enthusisastic group came all the way from R T Nagar! It was a walk where all of us pitched in with what we knew.. and it wasn't even a walk, it was a slow inching forward, looking around and down, instead of the "up" of a birding trail. The Forest Department (the blue/green boards are theirs) has gone to town with the slogans, nailing them to…

Namma Bengaluru Foundation's Lake Day aims at raising awareness, increasing community participation and fostering an appreciation of lakes in Bangalore. It is scheduled to be held on the second Saturday of every month, each time at a different venue.  “Bangalore has been blessed with a number of natural and human-made lakes. The water security of Bengaluru lies in us reconnecting with these lakes and safe guarding them” - Sridhar Pabisetty, CEO Namma Bengaluru Foundation The first Lake Day will be at Kaikondrahalli Lake on Saturday, 10th Jan 2015. The event, "Kere Habba 2015" will be a sunrise to sunset event, where…

Caterpillars are creepy? Each time I saw a worm or a caterpillar wriggling, I would let out a shriek that would stun people around me. They sniggered when they found the reason. Times change and I now adore caterpillars. I got into the company of some ardent butterfly watchers, who did not mind lying on slushy ground or walking miles together in pursuit of butterflies. With them, I started to learn fascinating facts about butterflies. Butterflies exhibit mimicry, they migrate, plan amazing strategies to avoid predators; the list goes on. One life time is not enough to learn about them. To understand butterflies better, one has to…