Articles by Shilpi Sahu

Bellandur Buzz... Issue # 36 Date: 22 May 2015 This fortnightly newsletter is brought to you by the residents group bellandur-forum@googlegroups.com   Protest against Bellandur – Agara SEZ   Peaceful protest Date: 7th June 2015 Venue: Next to Agara lake and the temple Time: 9:30am – 11:30am Protest is organized by Koramangala and Bellandur residents. Why we are opposed: Blatant encroachment on ~100 acres of Bellandur wetlands. Threatening the survival of Bellandur Lake, the largest in Bangalore. A serious threat to underground water levels and sources Mega project requires water currently being supplied to 3 big wards. Supply zero sum…

Bellandur Buzz... Issue # 35 Date - 8th May 2015 This fortnightly newsletter is brought to you by the citizen group bellandur-forum@googlegroups.com Bellandur wetlands project case update In a judgement delivered in a case filed by a number of citizen welfare groups in Koramangala, HSR Layout and Bellandur, the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal has found prima facie evidence of serious irregularities and imposed fines amounting to Rs. 139.4 Crores on the two developers involved for environmental violations in the project opposite Agara lake (wetlands of Bellandur). This case was being fought by a series of RWAs and…

Bellandur Buzz... Issue #34 Date: 24rd April 2015 This newsletter is published fortnightly by the citizen group bellandur-forum@googlegroups.com.    Anti-Plastic awareness campaign in SJR Verity Anti-plastic campaign lauched by kids of SJR Verity Over the last few years, Bangalore has transformed from the ‘Garden City’ to the ‘Garbage City’. The garbage problem of Bangalore, primarily due to plastic bags, has literally become a burning issue. Even though single-use thin plastic is banned by the government, it is still consumed by shopkeepers and the public. Volunteer kids of the apartmen SJR Verity along with few adult volunteers decided to do their bit…

Bellandur Buzz... Issue #33 Date: 8th April 2015 This newsletter is published fortnightly by the citizen group bellandur-forum@googlegroups.com. Surprisingly it has survived despite 32 previous lack-a-daisical issues!   The best waste management deal ever! Coinciding with the red moon last week, the local Aishwarya store has been bitten by the green bug. They have declared that they will no longer give out those illegal cheap plastic bags that clog Bangalore’s drains. As part of their CSR, they will hereby buy out the produce of all the impoverished roadside vendors and hand it out to customers in freshly printed newspapers. They will…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 32 Date: 27th March 2015. This fortnightly newsletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com   Water Tanker rates in the neighborhood Based on the inputs from some residential communities in Bellandur Sarjapur road region, current water tanker rates appear to be hovering in the range of Rs 460 to 500 per tanker. Summer is approaching and the tanker guys are demanding for a revamp in the rates. New rate being asked for in most places in Rs 525 – 600. Residents wonder why the raise in prices when diesel prices have dropped last year. Perhaps the water sources are…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 31 Date: 13th March 2015. This fortnightly newsletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com Meeting with KSPCB Recently, a new apartment complex in Bellandur ward was suspected to be laying underground PVC pipes for its treated sewage which allegedly led to the newly rejuvenated Kasavanahalli lake. This sparked off a heated discussion about KSPCB norms and the lack of options faced by apartments for discharging their treated sewage. As per the current KSPCB rule, apartments more than 50 units are required to have a functioning Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). KSPCB imposes a zero discharge policy…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 30 Date: 26th February 2015. This fortnightly newsletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com Anti Plastic Campaign Sobha Jasmine recently implemented a successful anti-plastic campaign. On Jan 26th Jasmine's Eco-Committee presented a children's skit to expose the numerous hazards posed by plastic bags. Ward 174 Corporator Latha Murthy kicked off the campaign with a symbolic cutting of a plastic bag. The managing committee then approached local vendors and requested them to stop making deliveries in plastic bags. Security was told to keep a strict watch on vendors. There was a dramatic decrease in the number…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 29 Date: 12 February 2015. This fortnightly newsletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com  Neralu tree walk Several days back, a nature walk was organized in HSR layout as part of the Neralu – Bengaluru Tree festival. http://neralu.in/ The walk was led by Ajit Ampalakkad. The participants met in front of MK Retail, 17th Cross at 7.30 am. The walk was about learning to love the subtle way nature lives around us - silent but still buzzing with activity. As the walk progressed, the participants began to view the nuances of nature differently: they realized…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 28 Date: 29th January 2015. This fortnightly newsletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com   Bellandur Devasthana - Inauguration ceremony Sri Venkateswara temple on the banks of Bellandur lake A temple dedicated to Sri Venkateswara Swamy will be inaugurated this week in Bellandur Village. The temple is built on the banks of the Bellandur Lake, and made from granite stone, in Madurai style of architecture. Everything, from the temple plan to the size of the idols, is according to the shastras. The inauguration ceremony, spanning from 29th January (Thursday) to 2nd February (Monday), will be…

Bellandur Buzz Issue # 27 Date: 16th January 2015. This fortnightly newletter is published by the citizen group bellandur.forum@googlegroups.com The DIY solid waste management website www.2bin1bag.in The website for 2Bin1Bag has been launched to help individuals and communities manage their waste. 2Bin1Bag started off as a small citizen initiative to find a solution to the problem of solid waste disposal in the Bellandur ward. However, years of research and effort put in by a group of committed citizens has culminated in a movement encompassing the entire city. The movement, which is endorsed by celebrities like Mr. Rahul Dravid and Sri.…