Pnilt puttenahalli lake - the citizens' lake

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PNLITPuttenahalli Lake – The Citizens’ Lake

January 2013

Flashback to 2008

Lake practically non-existent.

A marshy dump yard.

Encroached by hutments.

• A group of residents from L&T South City got together to start “Save the Lake” campaign with a mission to put Puttenahalli Lake, JP Nagar 7th Phase on the BBMP list of lakes for restoration

• BBMP commenced restoration in 2010• A charitable trust Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust

(PNLIT) was formed in 2010

Campaigning commenced in 2009/ 2010

• 200 trees planted in Jul-Oct 2010 by the Trust to restore indigenous plant species

• PNLIT signed a MOU with BBMP to maintain lake for three years, in May 2011

Restoration process gained momentum in 2010/11

June 2010

October 2010

The lake has a 920 m walkway, gazebo, toilets and security cabin.

PNLIT employs a sweeper, two gardeners. Other help as needed.

Lake today – Teems with rich aquatic life, attracts people, recharges the water table, prevents flooding

Present Day – A bird habitat

More than 60 bird species spotted at

the lake so far!

Birds photographed at Puttenahalli Lake

Present Day – A place of recreation

Walk, run, read, watch the birds

or just spend time.

The lake encourages experts and novices to

engage with nature.

Present Day – A place for nature lovers

Honours for PNLIT – 2012

PNLIT – Helping the government to help ourselves.

Activities – Tree planting, Community gardening

Activities – Guided bird watching, nature walks

Activities – Creative workshops

Screen printingNature journaling

Activities – Corporate volunteering

Facilities introduced – cycle stand, wheel-chair access, exercise space, educational sighting boards

Managing water

No idol immersion in lake waters

Getting more water into the lake

Rain water harvesting

Managing waste

Segregation bins

Composting

Working with the BBMP

Teach program, Cloth bags

Educational support

Alternatives to plastic and paper bags

Increasing awareness of the importance of lakes in Bangalore

• Diversion channels to harvest rain water from Brigade Millennium and other streets.

• De-weed lake bed.

• Irrigation pipeline.

• Plant more shrubs and trees.

• More volunteer activities .

• Continue pursuing relocation of encroachments.

• Build Corpus Fund.

Tasks ahead – 2013

The PNLIT Trustees – Jan 2013

Nupur Prasanna Usha Ramaswamy Arathi

• Registered under the Indian Trust Act

• Registered u/s 12AA of the Income Tax Act

• Donations to PNLIT are exempt u/s 80G of the Income Tax Act

Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT)B3, 502, South CityArekere Mico LayoutOff Bannerghatta RoadBangalore 560076

Phone: +91 80-41206057Cell no: +91 7259722996Email: puttenahalli.lake@gmail.com / pnlitonline@gmail.com