Category Awareness

Biomimicry – learning from nature!

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Bangalore: BMS Institute of Technology and Management (BMSIT) organised a Biomimicry event on 22 April 2026. GREEN CIRCLE and the BMS eco club, OIKOS, jointly organised the event to mark World Earth Day. Biomimicry is the practice of learning from nature and using those ideas to solve human problems. The eco club initiative engaged 53 students across 10 teams, each presenting live working models based on biomimicry principles. The projects focused on real-world applications such as water conservation, climate-responsive design, disaster resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. Key innovations included termite mound-inspired passive cooling systems, honeycomb-structured columns, lotus leaf-inspired self-cleaning surfaces, penguin body-based insulation, spider web-inspired earthquake-resistant structures, etc. The models were evaluated by a panel of three juries, including one industry expert, L. R. Phanindra, GE Healthcare, to ensure a balanced assessment of technical feasibility, innovation, and societal relevance. Projects were also mapped to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising their contribution to areas such as clean water, sustainable cities, and climate action. Says Prof Rajesh, ‘the event highlighted the potential of nature-inspired solutions in addressing societal needs and stands as a replicable model supporting the objectives of the Bharat Environment Programme’. The best models were awarded in the felicitation ceremony on the same day. First prize was bagged by Manisha Ramisetty’s team, while second and third places were secured by Anagh Manivarnan’s team and Darshan Gowda’s team, respectively. Dr V. Selvarajan, Green Circle, made a presentation on an eco STP model at People’s Trust based on the cow’s four-chamber stomach designed on the biomimicry principle.  Speaking on the occasion, Principal of BMS IT & M, Dr Sanjay H. A. lauded the efforts of the eco club and encouraged them to do some extracurricular activity on every Saturday. Harish Uthaiah, People’s Trust and Kumar Kalyandurg, Green Circle, were present. Jury members of the Drawing competition, Dr V Selvarajan, Vasantha Kumar, Green Circle, Sreelakshmi B. K., Lumen Technologies and L. R. Phanindra, GE Healthcare, were honoured on the occasion. Rakshitha V, Nedium Chandana, Bhoomika S B, and Machireddy Dhanitha were also awarded the prizes for winning the drawing competition.

Green ideas during summer camp

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Bangalore: Sai Shankar Vidhya Shala, a rural school at People’s Trust campus in Sriramanahalli, Yelahanka, Bangalore, organised a summer camp for the children from villages. About 30 children participated in the camp. Children were taught Yoga, meditation, dance, and robotics, as well as eco-friendly crafts like paper bag making, Food chain game, Biodiversity Appreciation Album making, and Poster making on what children can do to save the environment. The camp was inaugurated on 14.4.26 by V Selvarajan. Ganga Bhavani, Head Mistress, Sai Shankar Vidhya Shala welcomed the gathering. Hairsh Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust, delivered the keynote address and thanked everyone for joining. Some fun activities and painting programs were also part of the program. Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle says that such summer camps engage the children usefully during the holidays. Meenakshi Bose, an artist, guided the students to make paper bags. She also displayed her acrylic paintings during the camp. Shyna and Chalapathi of People’s Trust trained the students in Yoga and meditation. Teachers Rajini, Rathnamma, Vishavani, Pavithra, Sunitha and Venkatesh volunteered to manage the camp. School Administrator Neetha Uthaiah supervised the camp events.

10 small climate action ideas!

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Bangalore: On 1st April 2026, a Community Organisation Programme focusing on Climate Action Initiatives was conducted by Rohan Benoy and Roshan K. Thomas, students from Kristu Jayanti College. The event was organised for 40 students from classes 6 and 7 of the Total Residential Education Program (TREP) at Sri Sathya Sai Shankar Vidyanikethanam at People’s Trust, Sriramanahalli, Rajanukunte, Bangalore. The objective of the programme was to raise awareness among young students about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable living, especially in light of the pressing global challenge of climate change. The speaker on the occasion, Dr V. Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle, told the children that climate action is possible at their level if they adopt certain environment-friendly simple actions. He gave a list of 10 points and advised the students to practice the same. The other speakers included Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust and Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle. Topics covered included waste reduction, resource conservation, and the adoption of eco-friendly habits in daily life. The students came away with the understanding that small actions can lead to significant impacts. They learned practical methods to tackle environmental challenges, such as minimising plastic use, planting trees, saving water, and embracing sustainable alternatives in their routines. The organizer of the program Rohan, said that this program was aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of climate issues and inspiring them to engage in environmental conservation. It fostered a sense of responsibility for a sustainable future.  Roshan adds, ‘After listening to the talk, I feel that children can contribute a lot in the form of simple climate action initiatives.’

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Digitalising trees!

Dr V Selvarajan 1 Comment

Bangalore: Is there any way out to scan a tree to know the entire details about a tree? Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle says, ‘Yes! We could capture all data in QR code form and affix it to a tree, as a plate.’ About a year back, Green Circle Bangalore contemplated this project to geotag the trees and approached BMS Institute of Technology & Management, Yelahanka, Bangalore, to use the green technologies to conserve trees. Prof Sridevi of the MCA Dept agreed to the proposal and identified two MCA students for this purpose. BMS IT into a Memorandum of Understanding between Green Circle. As a pilot project, Green Circle chose People’s Trust campus where there are 1000 plus trees belonging to 100 plus varieties. The project was curated by Venu and Sunny, MCA students, who relied on AI data for identifying the trees. They developed the software page, which was incorporated in Green Circle Website. Dr Sanjay HA, Principal of BMS Institute of Technology & Management, inaugurated the first geo-tagging of the project by BMS Rotaract club on 11th Oct 2025. Geotagging of trees was done in several rounds. Volunteers from Green Circle, BMS Rotaractors, NSS from Presidency University, Sai Shankar Vidyashala, and People’s Trust Sri Sathya Sai Shankar Vidyaniketan Boarding Children participated in the tagging. About 1000 trees were geotagged. The valedictory program was organized at People’s trust Auditorium on 15.3.2026. About 150 volunteers participated in the program and were issued the certificates for their service. The Curators of the project Venu and Sunny were honoured with shields. Prof Sridevi Head of the MCA Dept was felicitated for the support from her department. Prof Venkatesh was also felicitated. Prof Tejaswini, in charge of volunteers from BMS, Ganga HM of SSV School, Bobji and Seethamma, Pranjal, Presidency NSS Coordinator, Chalapathi of People’s Trust, Harshita from TREP, and Vasant Kumar, Kumar Kalyandurg and Karthik from GC were felicitated. An 8-foot by 5-foot collage titled “Birds of People’s Trust”, was formally unveiled by Bobji and Harish Uthaiah. This board showcases the beauty and diversity of avian life in the premises, as the photos were clicked by Karthik and Selva. Bobji made a PowerPoint presentation on Conscious Conservation in action. Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle, welcomed the audience. Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee, People’s Trust, proposed the vote of thanks.Bangalore: Is there any way out to scan a tree to know the entire details about a tree? Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle says, ‘Yes! We could capture all data in QR code form and affix it to a tree, as a plate.’ About a year back, Green Circle Bangalore contemplated this project to geotag the trees and approached BMS Institute of Technology & Management, Yelahanka, Bangalore, to use the green technologies to conserve trees. Prof Sridevi of the MCA Dept agreed to the proposal and identified two MCA students for this purpose. BMS IT into a Memorandum of Understanding between Green Circle. As a pilot project, Green Circle chose People’s Trust campus where there are 1000 plus trees belonging to 100 plus varieties. The project was curated by Venu and Sunny, MCA students, who relied on AI data for identifying the trees. They developed the software page, which was incorporated in Green Circle Website. Dr Sanjay HA, Principal of BMS Institute of Technology & Management, inaugurated the first geo-tagging of the project by BMS Rotaract club on 11th Oct 2025. Geotagging of trees was done in several rounds. Volunteers from Green Circle, BMS Rotaractors, NSS from Presidency University, Sai Shankar Vidyashala, and People’s Trust Sri Sathya Sai Shankar Vidyaniketan Boarding Children participated in the tagging. About 1000 trees were geotagged. The valedictory program was organized at People’s trust Auditorium on 15.3.2026. About 150 volunteers participated in the program and were issued the certificates for their service. The Curators of the project Venu and Sunny were honoured with shields. Prof Sridevi Head of the MCA Dept was felicitated for the support from her department. Prof Venkatesh was also felicitated. Prof Tejaswini, in charge of volunteers from BMS, Ganga HM of SSV School, Bobji and Seethamma, Pranjal, Presidency NSS Coordinator, Chalapathi of People’s Trust, Harshita from TREP, and Vasant Kumar, Kumar Kalyandurg and Karthik from GC were felicitated. An 8-foot by 5-foot collage titled “Birds of People’s Trust”, was formally unveiled by Bobji and Harish Uthaiah. This board showcases the beauty and diversity of avian life in the premises, as the photos were clicked by Karthik and Selva. Bobji made a PowerPoint presentation on Conscious Conservation in action. Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle, welcomed the audience. Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee, People’s Trust, proposed the vote of thanks.

One response to “Digitalising trees!”

  1. Dr V Selvarajan Avatar
    Dr V Selvarajan

    This is a wonderful 3 in 1 program

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A mega walk for lake 7.12.25

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

A Walk for Lake awareness campaign was organised by Green Circle on 7.12.25 at Avalahalli lake, Yelahanka, Bangalore. More than 1000 participated in the program. The walk started at Avalahalli lake with Yelahanka MLA S R Viswanath in the forefront along with Green Circle volunteers, Gram panchayat members, residents from the local apartments & layouts, Avalahalli village, BMS IT&M volunteers, NSS, NCC and Rotaract club. Children from Charitable institutions like People’s Trust and Vidya Gokula also joined the rally and staged cultural programs highlighting the need for saving the lake. A human chain and Aarthi were also staged during the rally. Nanje Gowda, Patron of Green Circle, says, ‘The city was once known for its numerous lakes. At one point, it boasted over 1,000 lakes; however, due to extensive urbanisation and extensive encroachment, that number has dwindled to fewer than 200.’ Residents were concerned that Avalahalli Lake could suffer the same fate as other lakes if timely action is not taken. A group of vigilant citizens, under the banner of Green Circle, launched a movement to save the lake four years ago. Navigating this task proved challenging, as the lake is surrounded by a maze of apartment buildings and a diverse array of layouts. Each twist and turn added an intriguing layer to the experience!  Green Circle decided to engage residents, authorities and panchayat members. Yelahanka MLA S R Viswanath pledged his support. Green Circle found that the lake was home to about 75 bird species. Ramachandra, Vice President of Green Circle, says, ‘We found that illegal activities, including fishing and open defecation, are rampant as the lake had neither a fence nor a security guard. The water quality was poor and polluted. The inlets and outlets were clogged. We took up the matter with the local Panchayat Authorities and BBMP (now GBA). ‘We realized that the water quality is bad because the nearby colonies throw the untreated sewage into the lake,’ adds Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary of Green Circle. Vidyasagar Arya from Green Circle coordinated with municipal authorities to apprise them of the need to survey the feeder canal (Kaluve) that connects to the nearby Krishna Sagara Lake. Chairman of Green Circle V Selvarajan says, ‘The canal is currently not linked to the lake, which leads to frequent flooding during the rainy season. Although the Panchayat began restoring the canal, the work was delayed due to a petition from some residents against the Kaluve rejuvenation, as the route passes through their plots. The present walk is to impress the locals about the urgent need to connect the lakes. The walk for lake awareness event started from Avalahalli lake and walked alongside the proposed canal and reached the Krishna Sagara lake, from where the canal originates. The walk ended at Avalahalli lake after the MLA inspected the Kaluve and its encroachment points. Singanayakanahalli Panchayat President Amravathamma also joined the walk. Other Panchayat members included Muni Reddy, Keshavmurthy, Prasanth Reddy, Manjunath, Nanje Gowda, Kran Kumar, Babu, Sathish Reddy, Girish, and others participated. From Green Circle Selvarajan, Ramachandra, Vasanth Kumar Shetty, Kumar Kalyandurg, Vidhyasagar Arya, Sandip Kumar Mukhopodhyay, Biju, Virabathrappa, and Vidya Badri joined the walk. Nanje Gowda, patron of Green Circle, proposed the vote of thanks

E-Waste camp 2

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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.

Garbage coexists!

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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!

E-Waste Camp 1

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17th May 2025 Venue: Nayantara Apartment, Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi 

Introduction As part of our ongoing commitment to promote responsible e-waste management and environmental awareness, an awareness session was conducted at Nayantara Apartment, organized by Ms. Romila and Ms. Abha, the Delhi coordinators from Green Circle. This event aimed not only to educate residents about the importance of proper e-waste disposal but also to encourage sustainable practices in their daily lives. The session saw active participation from over 25 residents, including several children, making it an engaging and community-centric event.

Session Overview The session kicked off with an engaging introduction to the topic of e-waste—what it is, why it matters, and how individuals can make a difference. The interactive format helped capture the attention of both adults and children, leading to meaningful discussions and questions throughout the program. The key topics covered included. Understanding E-Waste: Participants learned that e-waste includes discarded electronic devices like old mobile phones, laptops, chargers, and more. These items often contain hazardous materials that can pollute the environment if not properly managed. Informal vs. Formal Recycling: Hazards and Benefits: Informal recycling practices, such as unsafe dismantling and burning of e-waste, pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems due to the release of toxic substances. In contrast, formal recycling methods ensure the safe recovery of valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw materials.

This not only supports resource conservation but also lowers the overall environmental impact. Carbon Footprint Reduction: Formal recycling also plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the need for energy-intensive extraction and production processes. Role of Communities in Waste Management: Residents were encouraged to adopt environmentally-friendly waste disposal habits across all categories—electronic, plastic, organic, and paper waste. The importance of segregation at source and regular collection drives was discussed. Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Waste: We also discussed the plastic-management initiatives by various stakeholders and we also discussed regarding proper-recycling of plastics as well. Community Engagement and Interaction The session stood out for its high level of participation and enthusiasm, especially from children, who showed keen interest and asked several thoughtful questions about recycling and sustainability. A short group discussion added a fun and interactive element to the event. Notably, residents brought e-waste from their homes, resulting in the collection of approximately 4–5 kilograms of e-waste during the event itself—demonstrating immediate action following the awareness session. In addition to e-waste, the conversation also extended to broader environmental concerns, such as plastic pollution, water conservation, and the importance of green spaces in urban areas.

E-Bin Initiative Following the session, the residents’ welfare committee placed a carton box within the apartment premises to collect e-waste. The initiative was well received, and residents have already started dropping off their e-waste, marking a positive step toward responsible disposal. Conclusion The e-waste awareness session at Nayantara Apartment was a resounding success. With strong resident engagement, active participation from children, and immediate e-waste collection, the event achieved its goal of initiating positive change. This session not only increased awareness but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility toward environmental sustainability. The Green Circle team is hoped to continue organizing such impactful events in the future, helping to sustain momentum and inspire ongoing commitment to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.

Officials don’t think!

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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

Lake festival (kere habba)20.2.25

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Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath addressed the Kere Connect Habba, a lake festival at Avalahalli Lake. He mentioned an attempt was made a decade ago. The goal was to construct a building for Chitra Kala Parishad at Yelahanka Avalahalli Lake. He added that a lot of conservation efforts have been made to protect the lake. However, a Sewage Treatment Plant is still needed to ensure the water quality. Lauding the efforts of Green Circle, he said that a bullock cart will be the future mode of conveyance. This is because fossil fuels extracted in the world are depleting at a faster rate. Rightly, a bullock cart is symbolically exhibited at the venue Green Circle, the organizers of Kere connect habba 2025. A bullock cart with the above message was provided for the kids. These kids participated in a Drawing competition. They enjoyed a ride around the Yelahanka Avalahalli Lake. Selvarajan, Chairman of Green Circle said that the lake was upgraded. It moved from the E category to the D category. This change was due to extensive conservation efforts.  Vidyasagar, a member of Green Circle, added that the Rajakaluve feeding the lake has changed over the years. It has been converted into sewerage. The matter has been taken up with Yelahanka Tehsildar. The lake needs a non-mechanized Sewage Treatment Plant to filter the pollutants entering the lake. Kere Connect habba was a day-long festival of the lake. It was initiated by India Cares Foundation, Friends of Lakes, and DCS bank witnessed more than 1500 footfalls. The festival included a variety of programs. The activities included a drawing competition on the lake ecosystem and a workshop on composting. There was also rooftop gardening, cultural programs, and traditional games. At sunset, an Aarthi was also performed at the lake and a large number of participants displayed a human chain.  Residents of the nearby apartments, and villages in Singanayakkanahalli and Rajanugunte Panchayats also participated in the program.

Eventful day with varieties of activities