Environment | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Why Bellandur lake spews toxic froth, and how to stop it

July 30, 2020 Priyanka Jamwal and Sanjana Alex

Bellandur and Varthur lakes release huge amounts of foam almost every year, especially around the monsoons. Why does this happen, and what can we do to stop it?

Shut in at home during COVID? Rooftop gardening can give you some respite

July 1, 2020 Sudha Narasimhachar

Most of us are now staying home all the time, but this could be frustrating. Rooftop gardening is a good option for being close to nature without having to go out. Here’s a Bengaluru couple who are doing exactly that.

Study: Bengaluru’s new road-widening project will irreparably damage the environment

June 26, 2020 Harini Nagendra

The felling of thousands of trees for the ‘Bangalore Surrounding Roads Project’ will permanently damage the city’s environment, finds an EIA by Azim Premji University. The actual number of trees to be cut are far higher than that reported as well, finds the EIA.

Iblur lake bedecked with flowers: Volunteer efforts pay off

June 25, 2020 Naresh Sadasivan

Iblur lake, which had once been a toxic cesspool, is now thriving and beautified, thanks to citizen efforts. The lake’s trustees are also planning to develop a Miyawaki forest in the vicinity.

Bengaluru's Silk Board Junction during the lockdown. Pic: Naveeen Thomas Prasad

Air pollution dropped 28% in Bengaluru during lockdown

June 24, 2020 Aishwarya Sudhir

As per an analysis, PM2.5 levels in Bengaluru reduced by an average of 28% during lockdown. In some localities, air quality even met WHO safe levels, perhaps for the first time in two decades.

Why Bengaluru lakes catch fire, and how to prevent this

June 23, 2020 Sanjana Alex, Priyanka Jamwal, Shashank Palur, Veena Srinivasan, Shubha Ramachandran and Suma Rao

Raw sewage, industrial effluents, solid waste dumping, can all lead to build-up of flammable gases in lakes. Why do these issues persist and what can be done to resolve these?

Toxic heavy metals in Bengaluru’s air, finds study

June 4, 2020 Ankit Bhargava

A recent study of Bengaluru’s air quality showed that areas like Koramangala and Haralur had dangerously high levels of PM2.5. Neurotoxins like manganese and lead were also found in excess.

Why fish die in Bengaluru lakes, and what you can do to prevent it

May 27, 2020 Sanjana Alex, Shubha Ramachandran, Suma Rao and Veena Srinivasan

Much of the fish and bird kill in Bengaluru lakes is caused by pollution. What are the exact sources of such pollution, and what can we as citizens do about it?

Podcast: Why we need to plant more native tree species in Bengaluru

May 20, 2020 Grace Madigan

Bengaluru has lost much of its natural vegetation to urbanisation. Majority of trees that do remain, cannot protect the city from heat island effects or climate change.

Podcast: Why citizen groups alone can’t save Bengaluru’s dying lakes

May 19, 2020 Grace Madigan

In Bengaluru, neighbourhood citizen groups have worked to revive many lakes. While some groups like PNLIT have been successful, some others have failed due to lack of government support and resources.

Volunteers, Kishore and Aravind, water the plants in Vasanth Nagar every alternate day in the evenings. Pic: Rajkumar Dugar

How four Vasanth Nagar residents are saving plants during lockdown

April 13, 2020 Rajkumar Dugar

Plants in public places are becoming water-starved during the lockdown. In Vasanth Nagar, four residents have been going out and watering such plants to ensure they stay alive.

The Tabebuia Rosea trees in full bloom on Outer Ring Road. Pic: Naveen Thomas Prasad

Watch: Tabebuia Rosea trees in full bloom paint ORR pink

March 18, 2020 News Desk

It’s spring, and the brilliant pink bloom of Tabebuia Rosea trees are adorning Bengaluru’s streets. Here’s a video of the bloom along Outer Ring Road, and some details about this alien tree species.

BDA ‘concretises’ restoration of Bellandur Lake

March 3, 2020 Manoj Sharma

It turns out that the Bangalore Development Authority’s mammoth rejuvenation plan for Bellandur Lake is not how the experts conceived it. Fears that this crucial project – to be carried out under the gaze of the National Green Tribunal – becoming another brick and mortar-centric exercise, may not be unfounded.

Thriving mini urban forests amidst Bengaluru’s IT park. Pic: Manyata Residency VrikshaMitra Group

How 15 citizens are building about 8000 sq m of forests in Bengaluru

February 28, 2020 Malathi Prasad

Last year, 15 residents near Manyata tech park collaborated with the NGO SayTrees, to build mini forests. The fast-growing forests are now major lung spaces in the traffic-choked area.

Isn’t looking beyond Cubbon Park a Smarter Plan?

February 26, 2020 Bindu Gopal Rao

Authorities have come up with a Rs 40 crore plan to redevelop Cubbon Park under the smart city project. The question is whether it is prudent to splurge on an already-thriving ecosystem rather than redirect scare resources towards creating more such spaces.