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.
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
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
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.
“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’
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
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.
Avalahalli fence reconstruction work has commenced as a result of our efforts. The compound wall which was incomplete on the western side and southern side were also fenced. This is what we were looking for quite long. But we frequently observe that commercial posters are displayed on the fence, destroying the aesthetics
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.
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.
GREEN CIRCLE 