Bangalore: 75 Children from Mallya Aditi International School learned a lot of craft-making skills. Children from Sai Shankar Vidyashala also acquired skills to save nature. They participated in the nature camps organized on 26-27 Nov 2024 at People’s Trust campus. Green Circle helped the children to learn the art. A nature walk to study the flora and fauna and a tree-planting drive were also organized during the camp. A visit to the STP at Rajanukunte was also organized to sensitize the students about passive waste management. Dr Selvarajan, Green Circle trained the students to make eco-friendly models. Students also planted saplings under the guidance of Vasanth Shetty, Director Green Circle. Harish Uthaiah welcomed the gathering and guided the students when they had a nature trail in Peoples Trust Premises
The School of Law, Presidency University organized a national-level conference titled Sustainable Future: Navigating the Climate Crisis in Anthropogenic Era on 25-26 November, 2024. Dr. Saroj Sharma Dean, School of law, welcomed the gathering. Inaugurating the conference, J Ashok G Nijagannavar Member of Law commission Karnataka, Justice Rajesh Tandon, former Justice of High court Uttrakhand said that everyone should realize his duties to environment enshrined in Article 51 A of the constitution. Piyush Manus, Environment activist delivered the keynote address. Dr. V Selvarajan, Environmentalist, Green Circle Bengaluru, Professor Sudesh V Bangalore University, Professor Sairam Bhat, NLSIU Bengaluru, Prof. SN Raju, Environmental Engineer Mysore University, Dr. Rajesh Gopinath, Environmental Engineer Advocate Rohith Kamath, Rex law chamber, Prof. Chetan Sangai, Legal Expert and Advisor NEP 2020, Ms. Sheela Chandran, Legal consultant, Ministry of Kerala, Sanjana, advocate, JP Associate, Vindhya Mani Partner Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Attorney, Advocate and Samartha, founder JK legal, Bengaluru attended the conference. The Conference highlighted the issue of global climate changes continuing due to industrial development and urbanization and focussed on the policies for the natural environment. Dr. Mohd Saleem, Convener of the Conference proposed the vote of thanks. Toshali made the arrangements for the program
Presidency University NSS volunteers participated in a tree plantation drive at Naniah Park at Peoples trust. About 40 volunteers brought the saplings nurtured by them in their University campus. With the help of Rajanugunte Panchayat, 40 saplings were planted.
“We never expected this lake to have such a huge potential!” said Deepa Mohan, leading a team of naturalists from all over Bangalore in a biodiversity survey organized by Green Circle, an environmental organization working for the rejuvenation of Avalahalli lake in North Bangalore. Adding ‘we have spotted 70 species of birds including some uncommon birds like yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Lesser Whistling Duck, Ruddy breasted Crake etc” she said that this lake has every potential for naming it as ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’. A team of 20 naturalists specialized in flora and fauna listed birds, bees, butterflies, plants, herbs, trees and shrubs. Naturalist Rishov says, ‘the lake has a lot of plants and trees like Acacia, Asthma Plant, Banyan Bengal Day flower, Blue Ears, Casuarina/Australian Pine, Cluster Fig, Common Fig, insects like Caterpillars, Red Costate Moth, Dwarf Honeybee, Fly, Flesh Fly, Long-legged Honeybee, Grasshopper and butterflies like Apefly, Blue, Gram Blue, Lesser Grass’ Expressing thanks to the survey team, Kumar Kalyandurg, Public Relations Director of Green Circle said, ‘it is amazing to see that volunteers from far off places from South and Central Bangalore have taken pains to visit the lake to record the biodiversity in our lake. We are excited to know that such a lot of natural wealth is available in this lake area’.
Vasnathkumar, another director of Green Circle added, ‘our enthusiasm is gaining momentum. We will be working on rejuvenating the rajakaluve with doubled enthusiasm now’. Satish, a birder said, ‘for me, sighting of a yellow bittern is a great excitement, I didn’t know that this lake is so rich in its diversity’. Karthikeyan Nambiar, another participant recorded 24 varieties of trees and 17 plant species. Dr Selvarajan, Chairman Green Circle said, ‘Green Circle will undertake 3 more surveys on a quarterly basis and study the varieties here. People’s Biodiversity Register will be compiled and submitted to authorities’
In order to explain the residents and potential CSR grantees, GC came out with a 3D model of the landscape covering the lakes and rajakaluve. The model was designed by the students of Civil Engineering department Eco club of BMS Institute of Technology. This was displayed during a Rotary event at Peoples Trust called BASIS program which aimed at guiding social entrepreneurs. Green Circle also attended an interview for CSR grant, though the outcome was not positive
PET bottles are not treated as Single Use Plastic (SUP)!
Green Circle Bangalore conducted a workshop for students of Sai Shankar Vidyadhara, Rajanugunte Bangalore on environment day. More than 100 students attended the workshop. A presentation was made by V Selvarajan, Chairman of Green Circle on ‘Managing Single Use Plastic’. He has highlighted the important aspects of SUP and its ill effects; and stated that 21 items have been identified by Central Pollution Control Board which have been banned in India from July 2022. He informed the members that not only usage but manufacture and import also are banned. However, he expressed the concern that SUP items are being used even after 2 years despite the ban. He said that it is not good to exclude the PET bottles which are being widely used to store drinking water. He advised the students to reduce the use of plastic and think of reusable ever silver vessels. He requested the students to carry cloth bag and refuse polythene bags when they visit vegetable shops and the like. Though only 10~20 percent of the plastic may be of single use, such items create havoc in blocking our waterbodies. Green Circle team consisting of Kumar Kalyandurg and Vasanthakumar made the arrangements. Earlier Harish Udhiah, Managing Trustee of the People’s Trust welcomed the gathering and lauded the efforts of Green Circle. Ram Prasad Dham, a senior trustee advised the students to take a pledge to protect environment.
Plogging at the Sriramanahalli village
100 students of Sai Shankar Vidyashala school participated in a plogging drive organized by Green Circle and People’s Trust. The students were given gloves and collection bags. About 50 kgs of plastic waste was collected and handed over to Rajanagunte Panchayat van. Earlier students had formed several groups and searched for plastic waste in nearby green area. Green Circle members Vasanthakumar, Kumar kalyandurg, Selvarajan and Ashok joined the drive and collected plastic trash. The students were accompanied by teachers who also participated in collecting the trash.
‘Let us nurture the nature and have a nurturing nature’
The above slogan by a student Charu Dhuruthi was the best part during Green Circle Drawing competition. The drawing competition was part of the environment day celebration which was participated by 150 children together from Junior and senior children. Green Circle arrange drawing sheets and crayons for the junior children. One hour time was given. Senior children were given the topics like Save nature for future, conserve water, Go green, go clean. The juniors were given topics like trees, nature or animals. A 5-year-old first standard student drew a tiger in an awesome manner. For curiosity, the jury gave the sheet to a teacher and asked her to identify the animal in the picture. The fact that the teacher was able to call it a tiger proved the drawing skill of the child. ‘The drawings were beyond our expectation; the children are highly talented’ said Vasanthakumar of Green Circle.
Kumar kalyandurg wondered whether most of the children deserve a prize. Three children from both the category were shortlisted while some 10 children were also given consolation prizes. Selvarajan said that the prizes will be distributed on a subsequent day. Winners of Drawing competition under juniors category, the winners are Sai Shashanth,1st, Kushi 2nd and Praveen & Ganavi, 3rd while Under Seniors category First prize goes to Charu Dhuruthi K S, Second to Tamilarasi, Third to Harshita V. Consolation prizes were also given.
40 members of Green Circle, a registered trust working for environment met the Panchayat Development Officer Singanayakkanahalli, Yelahanka Bangalore to emphasis the need for completion ofa feeder canal (locally known as Rajakaluve), better upkeep of Avalahalli lake and periodical garbage lifting. The residents belonged to Vajram Tiara, Prestige Royale Garden, Ramki North, Sriram Suhanna, Zedwoods, MS Ramaiah NE County, BEL Layout, Pyramid apartments and others. The members submitted a letter seeking quick solution for the issues. PDO Damodhar said that the Rajakaluve digging will be completed as soon as survey copy reaches them. He also said that Borewell starter panel will be fixed shortly to water the 500 trees planted. He also promised to complete the compound wall of Avalahalli lake in tandem with BBMP. He also assure to lift the garbage from all locations. The meeting was cordial and chaired by V Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle Bangalore.
Avalahalli fence reconstruction work has commenced as a result of our efforts. The compound wall which was incomplete on the western side and southern side were also fenced. This is what we were looking for quite long. But we frequently observe that commercial posters are displayed on the fence, destroying the aesthetics
Green Circle, Bangalore is an environmental organisation working for nature conservation. It organised a Nature Creativity contest. The event was in association with Rotary Club of Bangalore Oasis, People’s trust, and BMS School of Architecture on 10.2.2024. The contest was attended by 250 children staring from 5 years to 21 years. The students were divided into three categories. Those up to 8 years made sketches on nature topics. Students between 9 and 14 years reused old cloths and fabrics. Senior students between 15 and 21 were doing waste to best models using the hidden talents of arts and crafts. The program was attended by about 300 people consisting of parents, college students, lecturers and school children. Welcoming the gathering, Dr. V Selvarajan Chairman of Green Circle said that children from 20 schools have participated in the contest besides 25 apartments. Dr Shaila. Bantanur, Director of the BMS School of Architecture was the Chief Guest of the Prize distribution ceremony. Distributing the awards and certificates, she lauded the efforts of Green Circle in imparting environmental awareness. She also announced that the School of Architecture has signed an MOU with Green Circle for undertaking joint programs in the BMS School of Architecture. She added that the students will be conducting environmental activities like plogging and tree planting activities besides nature trails. First prize was bagged by Sai Sashanth G(Sai Shankar Vidya Shala), Bhoomi B(Shiksha Sagar), Sharadha Vishwa Karma (Informatics National Public School) while the second place had gone to Ritvi Rahul C (Ryan International School), Saira (Airforce school), Thanmayi N Gowda(Vishwa Vidyapeeth) and the third prize has gone to Aarush Nambiar (Patel public school), Aadhya Avinash (Vibgyor school), Mourya (Informatics National Public School) in Group I, II and II respectively. Artists Prasad Natarajan, KA Srinivas and Anand were the Jurors. Harish Uthaiah, Director of People’s Trust felicitated the children for demonstrating their skills in creative works. Rtn. Paramaguru from Rotary club of Bangalore Oasis proposed the vote of thanks. Vasanthakumar, Kumar Kalyandurg, Namrata Seetharaman, Rtn Sriram and Supritha of BMS made the arrangements.
At BMS IT &M, an autonomous Institute of Technology and Management in Yelahanka, Bangalore, it is mandatory for students to plant a tree as part of the curriculum. With heavy burden of the academic syllabus, students found it difficult to spare time for the social activities. The professors also find it difficult to motivate the students to spare time for the environmental activities. Prof Jagadeesh of Mechanical Engineering found a solution when he was returning home after a hectic day of lectures. He came across the Green Circle plantation site and contacted the team. After understanding the situation, Green Circle offered a solution to conduct a eco sensitization workshop for students. The workshop was held on 9.1.2024. About 200 students and NSS volunteers participated in the workshop. Making a presentation, V.Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle highlighted the need to strike a balance between studies and social work. Discussing the simple ways of doing environmental activities, he requested the students to spare minimum hours in a month to involve in planting and nurturing trees. Other activities like plogging drives, nature walks, camping, birding and trekking activities were also explained. Earlier Prof Jagadeesh welcomed the gathering and emphasized the need for sparing sometime for environmental protection. Green Circle members, Vasantha Kumar, Rashmi Kulkarni and Kumar Kalyandurg also attended the workshop and interacted with students. Vote of thanks was proposed by Prof Tejaswini. Professors Praveen Kumar, Rajesh Gopinath and Praveen Kumar also participated in the workshop and guided the students.
GREEN CIRCLE 