Month August 2025

E-Waste camp 2

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

As part of our ongoing commitment to promote responsible e-waste management and environmental awareness, an awareness session was conducted at Happy Homes Society, organized by Ms. Romila Gandhi, the Delhi coordinator from Green Circle. The session saw active participation from around 40 residents, making it an engaging and community-centric event The session opened with a comprehensive overview of e-waste—its definition, environmental impact, and the crucial role each individual can play in managing it responsibly. The format encouraged active participation, allowing attendees to engage with the content and clarify doubts.

Participants gained insight into what constitutes e-waste, including everyday items like outdated phones, chargers, and electronic accessories, which require careful handling due to hazardous components. The hazards of informal e-waste collection, including health risks and environmental damage caused by unsafe handling and processing, were contrasted with the benefits of formal, regulated recycling processes that ensure safe disposal and resource recovery. The role of manufacturers and producers in managing e-waste through EPR frameworks was explained, highlighting accountability across the product lifecycle. The importance of segregation, regular collection, and active community participation in waste management practices was emphasized to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. The session witnessed vibrant interaction from residents, with thoughtful questions and shared experiences enriching the discussion. The immediate impact was evident as residents brought in e-waste items, contributing to a successful on-site collection. This hands-on involvement demonstrated the community’s commitment to adopting better waste management habits. Ms. Romila will coordinate with the society head to finalize the date for the collection. She will inform us once the schedule is confirmed, ensuring smooth and timely follow-up for further e-waste collection. The awareness session at Happy Homes Society was a significant step forward in fostering environmental consciousness and responsible e-waste disposal. The combination of detailed discussions, resident engagement, and the practical collection drive set a positive precedent for future initiatives. In the session, the upcoming Green Mela on 1.11.25 was also discussed, encouraging individuals to collaborate and contribute to this community event. Green Circle remains dedicated to supporting such community efforts, aiming to cultivate sustainable practices and collective environmental stewardship.

Rakhi to trees

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: A tree-planting drive was organised on Raksha Bandhan Day this year by Green Circle, Bangalore. 100 native saplings were planted to mark the occasion. Besides, a Puja was held as the venue chosen was a temple, and some religious trees were planted. One of our youngest volunteers, Ponmalar planted a sapling and tied a Rakhi to it. She also tied another Rakhi to a grown-up tree to mark the Raksha Bandhan. ‘For me, this tree is like my brother, and today I tied the Rakhi symbolically because trees protect us and give us oxygen, besides many other benefits.

It is trees that protect us. Ramachandra, a resident, added, ‘All Hindu festivals have their links to nature in one way or another. It is time for us to celebrate all festivals close to nature.  Roopa Sri of Jeevan Mukthi supplied all native trees, namely Kadamba, Amla, Neem, Teak, Soap nut, Avocado, Pongamia, Silk cotton, Peepal, Champak, Mahogany, Palm, Banyan, Arjuna, Jackfruit, Clove, and Oleander trees. She added, ‘Green Circle volunteers have given enough space between saplings to ensure their dense growth. More interestingly they have ensured water supply and tree guards for protection. I will visit this place periodically to give suggestions and participate in nurturing the trees’. Vasanth Kumar, Kumar Kalyandurg, Sandip, Ramachandra, Vidya, Veerapathrappa, Karthikeyan, Ponmalar, Dewan Gowda, Biju, and Muniappa were among the volunteers who participated in the program. Selvarajan, Chairman of Green Circle, thanked Jeevan Mukthi team, the RWAs of MSR NE County, BEL Layout, Panchayat Council Members of Singanayakkanahalli Panchayat, other volunteers from Rotary club Paramaguru, and Dinesh. Members dropped compost also to ensure faster growth, besides support sticks

Garbage coexists!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Residents have lost hope! Their efforts to convince the authorities had evoked no response.“Our only mistake is buying homes in an overlooked area,” says Ramchandra, a member of the Resident Welfare Association of MS Ramaiah North East County in Yelahanka, Bangalore.

He adds that we will not blame the authorities alone, but residents will also be held accountable. Vidya, a resident, adds, “The trash has been there for more than 100 days. The layout is coming under Avalahalli village, which is a part of the Singanayakkanahalli Panchayat. Originally developed by the Bangalore Development Authority, the layout lacks streetlights, sewage systems, roads, or garbage collection facilities. The authorities shift the blame onto one another, but are not ready to help”. Green Circle members inspected the site and requested the local Panchayat members to clear the trash. Kumar Kalyandurg, the Secretary of Green Circle, stated that they have informed Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) about the issue. They provided details of the location and photos.

The taxpayers are fuming because they have not received any attention from any authorities.  Many authorities like KPCB, KWSSB, BBMP, BDA, and PDO inspect the area when petitioned. They simply write to each other to close the file. After that, nothing tangible happens!’ observes another resident. The shortage of amenities has contributed to a noticeable number of vacant plots in this area. Many investors are cautiously optimistic, having made significant investments in the plots. No wonder Bangalore is rated as the fifth dirtiest city in India!