The Second Biodiversity Survey of Avalahalli lake was held on 12.1.25. About 25 naturalists from all over Bangalore participated and recorded the birds as well as other flora and fauna. About 89 birds were recorded. EBird link is given below. Deepa Mohan, a renowned naturalist, led the survey https://ebird.org/checklist/S215005076
Book Title: ‘Our Environment, Our Concern’
In 2021, Robin Sharma, the Editor of Dwarka Express, Delhi called me (Dr V Selvarajan) and expressed his anguish about my relocating to Bangalore from Dwarka. However, he continued to interact with him to save the twenty Nilgai, which had been dislocated due to the destruction of the 200-acre natural forest in Bharat Vandana Park in the heart of Dwarka. In the last 3 years, the place has been under the artificial construction of an amusement park. While both lamented that they could not save Bharat Vandana, at least they were taking steps to relocate the Nilgai. As the discussion continued, Robin Sharma requested that I write to Dwarka Express regularly. I suggested an exclusive page called South Express which will carry articles and news items from South India. Once decided, there was no looking back. This page was added as the ninth page of Dwarka Express. While Robin Sharma was happy to spread out to South India, I treated this as an opportunity to write about the environment. Slowly, many authors started contributing useful articles on nature and the environment. When 100 editorials were over, I contemplated a book named OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR CONCERN. Coincidentally, the title was the mantra of the Dwarka NGO called Green Circle, founded by me. Dwarka Express, in which South Express is a page dedicated to South India released the Book on 7.12.2024 in a glittering function at CCRT Auditorium Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi. About 200 Dwarkites attended the function. The function was organized by Green Circle Dwarka Chapter in association with Dwarka Express and Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, Min of Culture, Govt of India. I owe this opportunity to Robin Sharma as South Express has crossed its 118th week. South Express will achieve many more laurels in the years to come. The book published by Alize Publishing is priced at Rs 299 and I will contribute all Royalties earned for the cause of Green Circle, founded by me in 2001. I sincerely remain grateful to all my readers, well-wishers, and friends of nature for their relentless support. This book will be available on the Amazon website from 7.12.24. Again, my sincere thanks to Robin Sharma for this honorary assignment.
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
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.
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.
A delegation visited the office of the PDO Singanayakkanhalli on 16.12.23 to discuss with the officials about the status of the Avalahalli lake, Yelahanka Bangalore. The following were discussed
Damage to fence on the roadside: During the heavy downpour on 6th Nov 2023, the pillars supporting the fence on the road side have fallen (for about 250 feet) and the fence is damaged exposing the lake area open to cattle for more than 45 days. In this regard, our complaints raised in Sahaya App and Janaspandana App remain pending. No action has been initiated. This is in addition to the unfinished fence on the southern side, adjacent to MSR North East County. Your goodselves will agree that half-finished/ damaged fence is as good as ‘No fence’
Dumping in buffer area: Construction waste/soil is being dumped along side the walking track, which is now very huge and is posing an eye sore for the walkers. This needs to be investigated and corrective measures taken
Plastic Trash near benches: Near the benches alongside the walking track, liquor bottles and plastic trash are lying which needs cleaning. This is because there is no control or check on liquor users who invade the park stealthily during night times
Unauthorised fishing: This was brought to your knowledge earlier also. For many people, involved in unauthorised fishing, it is just a fun activity. But this is a biodegradation as the quality of ecosystem depends on the existing food chain which attracts even the migratory birds. The eBird checklist of birds spotted in the lake last month is enclosed for your perusal. Fishing activity needs to be stopped immediately
Scooters in walking track: We are finding a number of scooters parked on the walking track. The gate is open on the northern side during evening times. Many scooterists enter into the park area. We need wicket gates or barriers to prevent scooters to enter the lake during this time.
Insufficient security: While we thank the BBMP and Panchayat officials for stationing on security staff during day time from 9 AM to 4 PM, to curb trespassing, it is not good that the lake remains accessible during evening and early mornings. In all other lakes, the gates remain closed during late hours. Keeping gates open encourages unauthorised users who enter for using the park for illegal activities like fishing, liquor consumption and other prohibited illegal activities.
GREEN CIRCLE 