Environment

HSR resident wins ‘Karnataka women achievers’ award for environment activism!

by
Dr Shanthi Tummala
HSR resident wins 'Karnataka women achievers' award for environment activism! 1

On Saturday, dentist-turned-civic activist Dr Shanthi Tummala, a resident of Sector 3, HSR Layout, was bestowed with the ‘Karnataka Women Achievers’ award for 2019 (KWAA), an initiative to recognise incredible women of the state by actor Spoorthi Vishwas that began last year. She was one among the 20 women who were honoured last week.

“I feel honoured to receive the award under the category of ‘Outstanding environmental changemaker'”, says Dr Shanthi about how she was among the 20 women picked from 1023 nominations across Karnataka. “The organisers told me that 23 people nominated me. I was more happy to see that the chief guest was beloved Indian environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka and Guest of honour was Roopa Moudgil, the dynamic IPS officer known for her boldness.”

Readers familiar to Residents Watch need no introduction about Dr Shanthi. For a detailed profile on her, you can visit our previous story about HSR Layout’s prominent civic activists.

However, it needs to be said that this 43-year-old resident of HSR Layout for over 11 years, is a farmer’s daughter. Therefore, when she saw garbage strewn all around, she gave up her dental practice and became a social worker in HSR. Six years ago, there was zero garbage segregation and the blackspots were only growing every day. Today, according to her, there is 90 percent segregation of garbage in HSR Layout, and citizens and volunteers like her help the authorities to penalise people selling plastic in the neighbourhood.

Her efforts paid off and she became instantly recognised for waste management. She was appointed as a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) and is also a ward committee member today of HSR Layout Ward 174.

Dr Shanthi’s list of achievements are one too many. From installing 10 lane composters for wet waste (and four more coming soon) to 22 leaf composting tanks in parks, to setting up a biodiversity park with rainwater recharge wells in Sector 6 “where they used to face water logging on roads every year”, to a community kitchen garden in Sector 3 to her continuous awareness sessions on sustainable living across the state to winning the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda award this year to being instrumental in setting up the SwachaGraha Kalika Kendra in Sector 4, Dr Shanthi’s list of milestones is endless.

 

Agara Lake jogging track restored; finishing is yet to happen!

by
agara lake jogging track
agara lake jogging track
Agara Lake jogging track restored; finishing is yet to happen! 2

The sewege pipeline underneath a stretch of the Agara Lake jogging track is now restored by the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The track had collapsed recently due to incessant rains for the second time. The first occurrence was in September 2018.

However, the finishing work is yet to be taken up. BWSSB officials told Residents Watch that the levelling of mud, curb stones and pavers is now the job of the Waste Water Management firm.

“Our job got over a few days ago, however, the finishing work did not happen immediately as you need time for the mud to settle down properly, before you can begin the work,” said a BWSSB official. “There is a chance that the track might collapse again if we start the finishing work too early.”

Recently, former chief justice Santosh Hegde, the head of lake development plan had visited Agara Lake and was shocked to hear that the BWSSB’s sewage treatment plant was letting sewage into the stormwater drain abutting the water body. The officials told him that there was no provision to let only treated water enter the drains and the lake. Calling off their bluff, the Agara Lake Protection & Management Society members petitioned the former Lok Ayukta with a list of complaints that had to be redressed by the utility agencies.

Managing water bodies is crucial to ensuring that stormwater drains are free from sewage. Similarly, the groundwater contamination can be minimal if the sewage finds its way into the many STPs across the city. However, the government is finding it difficult to procure land and later run an STP efficiently and at optimum capacity.

That is the reason why the residents don’t want it in their neighbourhoods as past records of BWSSB running a successful STP are too few and far between. To reduce the burden on the BWSSB, the government has mandated that bulk producers of sewage like apartments of certain sizes must have their own STPs in place.

 

Shops begin removing ‘fairy lights’ in Indiranagar; residents triumph yet again!

by
fairy lights protest
Shops begin removing 'fairy lights' in Indiranagar; residents triumph yet again! 3
Pics courtesy: Interact Club
Shops begin removing 'fairy lights' in Indiranagar; residents triumph yet again! 4
Pic courtesy: Rajpal Sethi

The spectre of commercialisation has gripped oversaturated neighbourhoods like Indiranagar, Whitefield, HSR Layout and Koramangala. The other day, a few youngsters supported by adults went from shop to shop on 100 Ft Road in Indiranagar, requesting them to remove ‘fairy lights’ on trees as they are damaging to the trunks as they are nailed into them. Not to mention, the birds who cannot bear a series of bright lights in their habitat.

Organised by youngsters of The Interact Club, the initiative did have its fair share of naysayers who asked the residents to do better things than mess with the shop’s aesthetics. Others said that the respectability of resident associations will lose its sheen if these initiatives were supported by them. Clearly, the reactions appeared to be either unfounded or had some vested interest as the arguments in favour of ‘fairy lights’ lacked substance.

The shopkeepers finally saw reason. Today, the fairy lights opposite Vapour pub and brewery, much to the relief of the residents. Today, the youngsters had also gone on a follow-up round of the shops. The store staffers promised them that they will abide by the law and remove the bright lights shortly.

Sonalee, the person coordinating the initiative for the youngsters confirms that most stores that the students visited last week had switched off their fairy lights since last week. “They have also promised to remove the tree lights in the coming week,” she said. 

The stores covered in the follow-up drive included Allen Solly, Simon Carter, Van Huesen, Sony, Bhartiya Jalpan, US Polo, Chai Point, Bohemia, Bumble and O2.

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

by
#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.

 

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

by
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!

by
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.

 

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

by
koramangala garbage dump
Residents turn around a garbage dump into a tea corner in Koramangala 9
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!

by
fairy lights
Indiranagar kids say 'no' to fairy lights! Request all stores on 100 Ft Rd to remove them! 10
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!

by
citizen march
HSR extension residents to march against civic apathy on Nov 16; prepare a list of short-term demands! 11
HSR extension residents to march against civic apathy on Nov 16; prepare a list of short-term demands! 12

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.

Join citizens’ yatra for the constitution from Bengaluru to Bidar from Nov 26-Dec 11

by
yatra for constitution
Join citizens' yatra for the constitution from Bengaluru to Bidar from Nov 26-Dec 11 13
Join citizens' yatra for the constitution from Bengaluru to Bidar from Nov 26-Dec 11 14
Mountaineers and environmentalists Kavitha Reddy and Jigna Modh

Walk, run, and cycle for the constitution. Two city mountaineers and environmentalists, Kavitha Reddy and Jigna Modh, are calling everyone to join them in their ‘Yatra for Constitution’. The idea is to not only commemorate 70 years of the constitution’s existence but also to ensure that it’s sanctity is maintained. The Bengaluru to Bidar journey of 700 kilometres will cover 10 districts in 16 days. The flag off is on November 26 at 7am from HSR Layout. The funds raised during this initiative will go towards the conservation of lakes and the environment through the NGO, Kaagaz Foundation. Anyone from Karnataka can join this yatra.


For both these residents, it’s a journey of a lifetime. “November 26, 1949 is when India got its constitution penned by Dr BR Ambedkar,” says Jigna Modh. “It’s time to reaffirm our faith in it and stay committed to the holy book that we the people of India have adopted.”


The yatra’s agenda is make this aware to citizens, especially youngsters about the fundamental rights and duties that the constitution has bestowed on us and the need to stay committed to it and celebrate it.


“As our commitment to Article 51A (g), we are raising funds for the conservation of lakes and the environment,” says Reddy. “This is a self-funded journey, therefore all the funds we raise will go to the cause we are working for, and additionally will plant a sapling enroute for every Rs 1000 we raise.”


Their goal is to raise over Rs 10 lakh. If we believe in the cause, you can donate right now and help them with their journey in spirit. About 15 people have already confirmed their participation. People will join the yatra and leave as they see fit. At various places, an event will be organised by NGOs. The organisers are expecting about 50-60 people to be part of their journey, even if they are not with them from start to finish. Importantly, whoever joins them can raise funds for their own causes that align with Article 51A (g) of the constitution.

 

For more details, call 96865-59418.

KCDC stink is unbearable in Somasundrapalya and just bearable in HSR! What can you do?

by
kcdc
kcdc

If the smell in Somasundrapalya, Hosapalya and Kudlu is unbearable, thanks to the smell emanating from the composting plant, Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC), it’s just about bearable in HSR Layout. The stink affects different areas at different points in time, depending on the wind direction and also when the KCDC staff turn over the compost heap. That’s when the stink gets worse. And yes, the smell becomes all pervading and reaches up to Hosur Road and Nice Road, when it rains rhinos. This smell is usually in the evening and night, between 6pm and 12pm. That’s when either the heap is being turned over at KCDC, or the rain gods have smiled. So if you sense a horrible smell, the moment you step out of your homes in the evenings, you know it’s the KCDC to blame.

Fighting for the closure of the plant for over three years, the residents living in the immediate vicinity of the plant, in Kudlu, Somasundrapalya, Hosapalya and Sector 2 of HSR Layout, are planning to relocate. Efforts to reach out to the ruling government, both past and present, have resulted in everything but closure. The daily tonnage was brought down from 500 to 100 tonnes, but the stink remains, and so does the ground water contamination.

The residents are not just complaining of nausea, skin and throat allergies, but also persistent headaches due to the stink for over three years. Spraying lemon grass is doing little to contain the smell. KCDC’s efforts to compost within a contained facility failed several times. Additional expenses to make it a scientifically-run establishment did not work either. Instead, it polluted the nearby Somasundrapalya Lake that it also encroached for its operations. Now, the encroached area is being given back to the BBMP by the KCDC, so that the lake can be rejuvenated.

Over a year ago, MLA Sathish Reddy had proclaimed on social media that the KCDC plant will be shutdown soon. Before that, Rajeev Chandrashekar had made his appearance, just before the general elections, and promised all help. But nothing so far even though the BJP is in power now. Left with no other option, the residents have filed a Public Interest Litigation in court.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

In the meanwhile, the BBMP and social activists are educating people about the benefits of home composting, so plants like KCDC need not exist. Only the dry waste can be collected from homes by the BBMP, which again is recycled by entities like ITC. The kitchen and other wet waste can be turned into compost using several simple solutions available in the market. They are called by different names, but you could just search for ‘composters’ and you will come across enough products to choose from. Go through the reviews and pick the one that works best for you.

To get a practical demonstration of all the home composting solutions at home, head to Swachagraha Kalika Kendra in Sector 4, behind the petrol bunk near HSR flyover. They have a separate section meant to teach you on just this subject.