Tag environment

Republic day puzzle contest

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Republic day celebration in association with People’s Trust

Bangalore: Green Circle in association with People’s Trust observed the 76th anniversary of India’s Republic Day, which coincides with World Environmental Education Day. After the unfurling of the national flag by Chief Guest Dr. Rajesh Gopinath, Prof of Civil Engineering Dept, BMS Institute of Technology, Yelahanka, the students of Sai Shankar Vidyashala, Sriramanahalli held a March Past, followed by a patriotic dance program. On this occasion, Green Circle honoured the noted Environmental Educator, Dr Rajesh Gopinath, and presented the Green Teachers Award to him.

Speaking on the occasion, Selvarajan Chairman of Green Circle said, ‘Green Circle has instituted the Green Teacher Award to mark the World Environmental Education Day. Dr Rajesh Gopinath is an inspiration for students. Coordinating eco club activities at BMS IT, he has guided the students to make seed balls and conducted check-listing of flora and fauna at BMSIT’. Harish Uthaiah of People’s Trust presented a memento on behalf of Sai Shankar Vidyashala. Thanking both Green Circle and People’s trust, Dr Rajesh said, ‘As Coordinator of eco club at BMS IT, I have always been trying to engage in education as a major tool to inculcate environmental values in kids. wish to innovate the methods to improve its effectiveness.

Crossword Puzzle on Environmental topics is a step in this direction wherein students can learn by unconventional methods and, most importantly, gain inquisitiveness. I will continue to sensitize and spread awareness.’  Green Circle administered the crossword puzzles on select environmental topics, like pollution, water, and animal behaviour. About 125 Children of Sai Shankar Vidyashala, Sriramanahalli, participated in the puzzle contest. The top three winners were chosen from 8th, 9th, and 10th standard respectively, and were given prizes.  Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of Peoples Trust added, ‘Soon we will be developing the People’s campus as a campus of five senses with the support of Green Circle.’ Pens, note pads and sweets were distributed to all children to mark the occasion.

Avalahalli lake- Biodiversity Survey

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First Biodiversity survey at Avalahalli lake

“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’

Avalahalli lake model displayed

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8.6.24

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

Environment Day plantation

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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.

Residents meet Panchayat Officials

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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.

Students create wonders from waste to wealth

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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.

Avalahalli lake issues highlighted

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Green Circle appeals for better Security arrangements at the lake!

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.