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BBMP launches ‘Free The Tree’ initiative; will remove hundreds of treeguards across the city

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#freethetree

By Zahid H Javali

It is a travesty of the times. Activists, and non-profit organisations team up with civic agencies to plant saplings and erect tree guards with much fanfare. Later, the sapling grows into a tree, and the metal barricade is still there, stifling its growth. In addition, the trees planted on footpaths touch the live wires above them, posing a danger to everyone around.

Thankfully, the BBMP seems to have realised this as Commissioner BH Anil Kumar, who appears to be making the right noises ever since he took over, began a citywide ‘Free The Tree’ campaign today in Malleswaram. Hundreds of tree guards will go under the cutter in the next few days. However, we urge him to ensure that this is made a mandatory exercise at every ward where one person is only in charge of ensuring that the trees are looked after. Importantly, they should chop the trees that had taken over the footpaths and the roads and also touching the live wires. In addition, a heavy penalty needs to be levied on those who park on footpaths meant for pedestrians. This has become rampant across the city.

Though the formal launch was today, the BBMP’s forest department and citizens, including those going by the monicker The Ugly Indians began the campaign a few days earlier. They freed 17 trees each in Indiranagar and HSR Layout. More will follow like it happened today in Malleswaram.

Resident Uday Chopda has some words of caution and constructive feedback about this issue. “They should not cement the pavement as trees don’t get water, nor does the ground water get re-charged,” he says. “Every tree should have at least one box of 2ft by 2ft for the water to seep in. They should sow saplings at places where trees are cut for development like Indiranagar 100 Ft Road. All shops and houses have either removed the tree in front of the property or they cut; please make it mandatory to grow in such areas.”

Dear BBMP, let #freethetree campaign not remain an adhoc measure, but a consistent effort by you.

 

Eco-friendly fogging solutions to keep away mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and pests!

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Eco-friendly fogging solutions to keep away mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and pests! 1
Eco-friendly fogging solutions to keep away mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and pests! 2

(PROMOTION)

Scrubbing, cleaning, spraying and toiling away every shred of your life. You are still unable to keep away the annoying little pests. You have tried everything you could and are at your wit’s end to procure that one magical solution that will wipe away all your misery. Fear not! Make the most of Herbal Strategi’s exclusive range of fogging solutions that act as a magical elixir in keeping all those annoying pests away.

Herbal Strategi Thermal Fogging Outdoor (Just Spray) Eco-Friendly

Made of Neem oil, Lemongrass oil, Citronella oil and Cedarwood oil, Herbal Strategi’s Thermal Fogging Outdoor spray covers a fair distance. They can be used outside your home and any place in your surroundings that is heavily infested with mosquitoes, cockroaches or flies. Completely natural, they do not harm your health in any way while also leaving behind the pleasant trace of lemongrass fragrance.

 

Herbal Strategi Cold Fogging Outdoor (Mospray)

Composed of Lemongrass oil, Tulsi oil, Eucalyptus oil and Palmarosa oil, Herbal Strategi’s Cold Fogging Outdoor spray eliminates the usual stress and exertion that is associated with cold fogging and chemical solutions. With herbal alternatives, the process becomes much safer and simpler. They can be sprayed in your backyard, in your veranda or around your potted plants to keep your family safe from pests.

 

Herbal Strategi Cold Fogging Indoor (Mospray)

Made up of Lemongrass oil, Tulsi oil and Eucalyptus oils, they offer a safe and effective alternative to keep the pests away. Since this is a water-based product it is not recommended to use it inside your homes because of the dampening effects that will arise as a result. It is advisable to use them in your lobby areas, hospitals and schools to clear the area of pests and keep it friendly for your friends, family and guests.

City musician won over by auto driver’s sincerity in Koramangala!

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auto driver with harish Iyengaar
City musician won over by auto driver's sincerity in Koramangala! 3
The auto driver who brought back Harish’s dropped phone from Koramangala to Ulsoor. Picture courtesy: Harish

Harish Iyengaar is many things rolled into one. The ‘scaryhairyman’ as he calls himself on Twitter is a writer, guitarist, gamer, and singer. What made him sing all the way on his social media platform the other day was the good samaritan act by an auto driver he met in Koramangala.

The podcaster gave a shout-out with a selfie of him with the Bangalore auto driver. Apparently, Harish’s phone fell out of his trouser pocket in the auto recently. This happened in the evening, during peak hours. “This man promptly brought it to Ulsoor from Koramangala, a bare couple of hours before I had to leave for the airport,” says a much-thankful Harish.

Having only read more bad news about rude, non-obliging auto drivers, it is gratifying to hear that there are some auto drivers who stand out for their humane gestures. May their tribe increase.

Hurry! Take part in the B.PAC survey on first and last-mile connectivity in Bangalore!

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B.PAC
Hurry! Take part in the B.PAC survey on first and last-mile connectivity in Bangalore! 4
The B.PAC team. Image courtesy: B.PAC

The Vasantnagar-headquartered Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) is inviting all Bengalureans to take part in a survey that we would share with city planners on how best to offer first and last mile connectivity to public transport. Will they have to be monorails, a plan mooted earlier? Or mini buses run by BMTC? Or increasing the bike and cycle rentals around bus and train stations? The alternatives are many.

Go ahead, take part in this survey. It will take a few minutes of your time, but by doing this, you will not only be helping yourself but also the future generation. Because what we ideate today gets done much later. The future is now. Take charge of it now. Click this B.PAC survey link and answer the questionnaire.

Remember, B.PAC is a non-governmental organisation patronised by city luminaries like Kiran Mazumdar, Charu Sharma, Prasad Bidapa, Prakash Belawadi, Nisha Millet, Harish Bijoor, RK Misra, and K Jairaj, among others.

Indian Pitta rescued in HSR Layout; glass facades of buildings are this bird’s major enemies

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indian pitta
Indian Pitta rescued in HSR Layout; glass facades of buildings are this bird's major enemies 5
Indian Pitta rescued in HSR Layout; glass facades of buildings are this bird's major enemies 6
Images courtesy: BBMP

The other day, an Indian Pitta, was rescued by BBMP wildlife volunteers in HSR Layout. This was tweeted on November 15 by no less than BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar. This is significant not only because this jungle bird travels to cities in the winter while on its way to the Western Ghats, but also due to the many incidents of its collision with glass buildings leading to its injury and death.

Similar rescues have taken place this month in Jayanagar and RR Nagar. Wildlife enthusiasts contend that these birds are often mistaken for Kingfisher birds due to their colourful facade – they have nine colours and are also called Naurangi in Hindi. While it is tough to blame the glass buildings alone, experts say that the birds fall on the ground due to their sheer long distance travel. They get tired along the way to the nearby forests, causing many residents to call the BBMP about the injured birds. Many Indian Pittas were treated in hospitals and released into the forests, including the bird found in HSR Layout.

 

Tomorrow, Whitefield residents share the success story of a mini STP that can be adopted across Bangalore to recycle and save water!

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whitefield mini stp
Tomorrow, Whitefield residents share the success story of a mini STP that can be adopted across Bangalore to recycle and save water! 7
Tomorrow, Whitefield residents share the success story of a mini STP that can be adopted across Bangalore to recycle and save water! 8
Images courtesy: Whitefield Rising

Whitefield Rising, the citizen action group, has some good news to share about an economical way to save water: installing mini sewage treatment plants across the city. They have a success story to share with a full technical presentation tomorrow between 11am and 1130am at Bangalore One on Whitefield Main Road.

The beauty of this presentation is that there is a successful, operational mini STP that will be shown to the public, with special focus on the technology and the process that goes into it. This STP takes the dirty water from the stormwater drains, purifies it and releases it into public toilets for recycling, while the rest joins the lake.

The plant is completely solar-powered and is all natural as it does not use any chemicals. The joint initiative of Whitefield Rising and Hagadur Ward 84 committee, the STP was implemented by Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited and funded by an MLC grant from Mahadevapura.

The plant requires only 10 sq. metres, and Rs 14.5 lakhs. Most importantly, it takes only a month to build and commission.

This is another true public-private partnership that can do wonders to society. Be there and get one for your ward/neighbourhood/city.

 

Koramangala-Ejipura flyover work resumes; BBMP clears bill of contractor

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koramangala-ejipura flyover
Koramangala-Ejipura flyover work resumes; BBMP clears bill of contractor 9
Photo courtesy: BBMP

Much to everyone’s relief, work on the Koramangala-Ejipura flyover has resumed after BBMP cleared the contractor’s bills.

The work on the flyover had stoped for a few months as the bill was not paid by the civic agency. However, with the new government and new BBMP commissioner BH Anil Kumar, all pending works are being expedited. One such project was this flyover.

Announcing this move, BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar also tweeted that “a strict directive has been issued to complete work by engaging more workers. Hon’ble MLA @RLR_BTM has acknowledged for resolving the same”. We do hope that MLA Ramalinga Reddy does his bit to expedite this.

Koramangala: Startup hub or a garbage dumpyard?

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koramangala slum

Yes, Monica, one Twitter user, has shamed the civic agencies by ironically captioning the headline to her video that shows the ugly side of Koramangala. Calling herself a bullshit slayer, Monica says she’s “working this social media thing, being social, not so much. Politically incorrect but Right, dog mum, BS slayer”. We agree with you, Monica. Will the BBMP alleviate the distress caused to Koramangala residents, please?

Residents turn around a garbage dump into a tea corner in Koramangala

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koramangala garbage dump
Residents turn around a garbage dump into a tea corner in Koramangala 10
Picture courtesy: Saahas

By Qamar HJ

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The best example of this was the remarkable transformation brought about by residents, an NGO, and the BBMP.

On November 6, 2019, the three groups came together to convert a garbage dump site into a tea point. “The wall was beautified with whitewash, and hand-painted by the team,” said a member of Saahas. “Plants/pots are kept in order to discourage waste dumping.”

We need more such stories to not only bring cheer to the residents and passersby in Bengaluru, but also wake up the BBMP to do its job, and the careless resident who is throwing trash all over the place.

Segregate the waste into wet and dry. Better still, use a composter to create manure out of your kitchen waste. You will be doing your bit to reduce the mountains of garbage piling up in landfills that contaminate the groundwater. Save yourself.

Indiranagar kids say ‘no’ to fairy lights! Request all stores on 100 Ft Rd to remove them!

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fairy lights
Indiranagar kids say 'no' to fairy lights! Request all stores on 100 Ft Rd to remove them! 11
Picture courtesy: Interact Club, Indiranagar

By Qamar ZJ


It began as a small idea of just a few kids from Defence Colony in Indiranagar going from one store to another and asking the shopkeepers to remove fairy lights as they are harmful to the trees on which they are hung. However, the idea gathered momentum and several other residents joined in on Twitter. With the Twitter handle of @ichangeindiranagar, this evening’s agenda was also posted online yesterday with this message:

Children will be visiting shops on 100 ft rd tmrw at 6 pm, from Caratlane to appeal to remove fairy lights choking the trees, making them susceptible to bacteria and fungus infections. These are illegal as per Karnataka Tree Act 1972

“The agenda is to visit every store on 100 ft road and explain to them why fairy lights are bad and hand over a letter signed by kids, requesting them to remove the lights,” said Sonalee, one of the parents, two days before the November 15 event at 6pm.

However, while many appreciated the gesture, there were naysayers that only made the residents more determined. “If you keep taking offense for everything, then you will lose the support of residents,” tweeted Vimmy Nair. “It’s also not fair to exploit children to push your agenda.”

The members of ‘I Change Indiranagar’, a federation of resident welfare associations in Indiranagar, HAL 2nd and 3rd Stage, pointed out that the kids were members of Interact Club and this was a voluntary exercise: “Interact Club is a community service club in Indiranagar for youth below 18 years. The children have come together to remind adults that we are the custodians of their future and it’s our duty to care for the environment.”

Vimmy had a reply to that as well: “Even I have been part of Interact Club during my school days and we didn’t participate in social activism but devoted our time to environmental cleanup, help the needy and develop a civic sense. Protesting in front of establishments is like firing a gun using the kids as shields.”

The Indiranagar 1st Stage RWA responded by tweeting: “Then you must know the meaning of civic sense, which btw we adults seem to have none of. Thank god for children!”

What was also contradictory to Vimmy’s statement was that this was a ‘save the tree’ initiative of kids. We are not sure how that does not add up to the ‘environmental cleanup’ initiative she mentions in her tweet.

The Indiranagar shops under the radar include Caratlane, Louis Phillipe, Simon Cater, Bologna, Allen Solly, Van Heusen, Sony, Bhartiya Jalpan, The Marina, Stoner Ice cream and La Cave. The kids will lead the shop tour this evening at 6pm while the adults will stay in the background for any logistical help.

“It is no secret that trees are good for us,” says Sonalee. “The trees on 100 feet road are old. They face the stress of traffic, pollution, garbage, bikers on footpaths, cemented footpath. Just like we would do everything possible to care for our grandparents, we feel removing year-long fairy lights is a tiny step we can take to help the trees we have grown up with.”

WHAT’S WRONG WITH FAIRY LIGHTS?

Nails: Damage the protective bark, which allows bacteria and fungus to attack the trees from inside.

Strangle the tree: Most shops keep the lights wrapped around the tree all year long. This is like choking the tree, especially harmful for young trees.

Unnatural light: The light messes up the trees, the flowering cycle, the birds. Some may argue that trees on 100 feet road are already impacted due to ambient light. While that is correct, the fairy lights are much more concentrated and closer to the tree.

Info courtesy: Interact Club, Indiranagar

 

 

HSR extension residents to march against civic apathy on Nov 16; prepare a list of short-term demands!

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citizen march
HSR extension residents to march against civic apathy on Nov 16; prepare a list of short-term demands! 12
HSR extension residents to march against civic apathy on Nov 16; prepare a list of short-term demands! 13

Inspired by the recent Mahadevapura protest, the areas bordering HSR Layout are rising to voice their concerns this Sunday, November 16 at 9am. The areas of neglect that they are focussing on are Harlur, Somasundrapalya, Silver County Road and Kudlu.

With hashtags like #IPaidTaxForThis, #KillBill, #RoadFrequentlyTravelled and #OurLifeMatters, the residents, largely from apartments, have come together to “Fight4Right”.  Several resident welfare associations in the areas have teamed up for this citizens march against civic apathy by the politicians and the authorities.

Despite informing, educating and complaining to the politicians and civic officials for years, the residents have not been able to develop their area that is “worse than a slum”.

According to Lalithamba BV of Kudlu Hosapalya Somasundrapalya and Parangipalya Residents Welfare Association (KHSSP), some of their demands are as follows:

1. Tar all the bad roads and fix potholes immediately.

2. Make all the footpaths safe for pedestrians.

3. Address traffic congestion as pollution is high.

4. Create alternative routes for public from Somasundarapalya to Haralur Road.

5. Fix KCDC stink and garbage disposal issues.

6. Quickly revive and open Somasundarapalya Lake for public use.

7. Fence Mangammanapalya lake and divert sewage from entering the water body.

8. Install drains that are not present in Ward 190 on an immediate basis on both sides of the roads.

Jagriti Theatre is now open to corporate events on weekdays! Proceeds will go towards theatre education

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Jagriti Theatre Whitefield
Jagriti Theatre is now open to corporate events on weekdays! Proceeds will go towards theatre education 14
Jagriti Theatre auditorium. Below: Founders Arundathi and Jagdish Raja.
Jagriti Theatre is now open to corporate events on weekdays! Proceeds will go towards theatre education 15
Jagriti Theatre is now open to corporate events on weekdays! Proceeds will go towards theatre education 16

Jagriti Theatre on Varthur Road in Whitefield is inviting all corporates to conduct their events and conferences at its premises on weekdays. While the charges are reasonable for all; they will be more cheaper for NGOs. As the 200-seater auditorium is only used on weekends for plays, concerts and recitals, it is empty on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Therefore, the founder couple of Jagdish and Arundathi Raja are offering their space for any kind of corporate event that could keep the space occupied all the time.

In addition to the auditorium, there are three other spaces (Lumbini, Terrace and Rooftop) that can serve as breakout areas for smaller groups or teams. Not to mention, a dedicated parking space for vehicles. “Jagriti is centrally air-conditioned with a thrust stage, 59 lights and a 24 channel sound system with a choice of microphones,” says Jagdish Raja. “Two projectors can beam stills or videos on two screens. Below is a large Green Room and two dressing rooms which are also air-conditioned.”

The Fat Chef, the attached restaurant, can cater morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Or you can get your F&B catered. The daily rental is Rs 70,800 plus 18% GST. Jagriti is run by The Art Foundation, a registered charitable trust.

The proceeds from the corporate events would go towards sponsoring theatre education for underprivileged children, among other things. So not only will the corporate be able to make use of the space but also contribute to someone’s academic upliftment as theatre education is known to enhance academic performance and career preparedness.

For more details, you can contact Jagriti at 080-41248298, 98440-33373. For the schedule of their events, you can visit Jagriti Theatre online.