Category Advocacy

Dead fish & Pelicans at Bangalore lake

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Harohalli Lake in trouble? The lake officials don’t care to know the cause!

On the 27th, the Lake Walkers invited environmental activists to visit Harohalli Lake in North Bangalore. This 90-acre lake has significant water storage capacity. Members of the Green Circle visited the lake. They found 12 dead fish. These fish ranged in size from 12 to 18 inches. They were located along the lake’s periphery. To their surprise, they also found two dead pelicans, and one was in a dying condition. Dr. Selvarajan of Green Circle suspects that the fish died due to a deficiency of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the water. Another possibility he considers is contamination from untreated sewage entering the lake. Green Circle raised this issue with the Commissioner of the Greater Bangalore Authority (GBA) and the Fisheries Department. They have also contacted the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The lake Managers perhaps been instructed to remove the dead fish and pelicans. But it is unclear whether any further actions will be taken to prevent future deaths. The next steps to prevent future fatalities remain unclear. Dr. Selvarajan poses an important question: “If authorities claim the deaths were caused by low oxygen levels due to extremely cold conditions, then why did the pelicans die? These resilient birds are usually capable of surviving harsh weather.” Another local resident emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the quality of the water, stressing the importance of finding out whether similar tragic incidents have been reported in other lakes.

Saving the Canal

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Asst Commissioner agrees spot inspection to assess encroachment of the kaluve (Avalahalli lake canal)

Bangalore: The feeder canal for Avalahalli lake is available in the map, says survey report. A survey was conducted by revenue officials at the request of Green Circle more than a year ago. But the canal is only in the map, not in reality, says Vidyasagar Arya, a member of Green Circle. He adds, ‘The Panchayat officials arranged JCB to dig the canal as per survey number last year. We were confident that the canal (Kaluve) would be revived. It would connect Krishna Sagara lake in upstream and Avalahalli lake in downstream.’  Ramachandra of MSR NE County adds, ‘Our layout is the worst affected due to flooding during the rainy season. This year, the monsoon was very active and the layout was flooded on a few occasions.

If kaluve were rejuvenated as per the survey report, by this time, our flooding problem would have been sorted out. Avalahalli lake also would have water supply.’ Green Circle submitted a petition to the Yelahanka Tehsildar, under whose jurisdiction the canal lies. But the authorities were sitting on the file without any action. Panchayat officials expressed their inability to act. Four plot owners had given a petition to divert the canal. The canal passes through their plots. Green Circle ran from pillar to post to get the canal alive but in vain. Recently, Green Circle visited the Tehsildar. He informed them that the file has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Asst Commissioner, Bangalore North. Green Circle team visited the office of Asst Commissioner, North Bangalore Dr Kiran, KAS and presented the case. He gave a patient listening to the team and ordered spot inspection to check the reality. ‘Soon we are expecting some action from the authorities. We will not leave any stone unturned to get the kaluve rejuvenated’ said Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary of Green Circle. Vasantha Kumar, Biju, and Selvarajan were also present during the representation. Dr Kiran assured that the necessary steps would be taken. Once survey numbers show the canal path, there is no question of deviation. Green Circle members are pinning their hope on the survey report, and feel that it is a long-drawn-out battle.

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!

Officials don’t think!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Green Circle, with the Rotary Oasis club, has displayed 24 posters at Avalahalli Lake. These posters attracted positive comments from lake walkers. The posters were displayed on 12th Feb 2025. But all these posters were removed by mindless labourers of BBMP who thought that these posters as commercial advertisements. We have taken up the matter with BBMP but they have no valid reasons to offer. Please have a look at the posters to see the message they conveyed. All the birds in the posters were clicked at this lake, and the messages were for lake conservation. If the authorities do not understand the importance of these posters, imagine how they would treat the lake

National Sustainablity Conference

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

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

Residents meet Panchayat Officials

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

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.