Tree plantation at Vassthubhoomi. Sept 8th 2012

Vassthubhoomi layout is planned in area of around 2 acres in Seegehalli, Whitefield. Residents are interested to have plants in the low rainfall area with bird and insect attracting trees. With a couple of field visits and interaction with residents we identified the location of plantings and made markings to dig the pits. The idea is to support birds like Drangos, Bulbul, Common bee eaters which has supporting trees in neighboring layouts with trees. After digging the pits and moistened the pits, we purchased saplings and provided a demonstration of how to do plantation.

 

Various benefits of trees and features of sapling species were explained. This idea is for transferring the knowledge to volunteers, so that they will be learnt and experienced to take up another tree plantation as lead. We planted 42 saplings with variety of Singapore cherry, Akasha mallige, basavanapada, Honge, Bangali gida in the pits and watered the plants. Trees were supported with sticks to grow vertically. LIFE will be monitoring the saplings and will replace if any of the saplings need replacement due to damage/disease.

Residents and children of Vaasthubhoomi layout were participated with LIFE volunteers like Deepak, Neha, Prasanna etc. 

Nature walk at Lalbagh

We organised a "nature walk" at Lalbagh on Sunday, the 22nd of July, for which guides from ecoedu.com, Mr. Srinivas and Mr. Ulhas accompanied us.

Around 25 interested people from various walks of life gathered to explore about the trees and various other aspects of our century old city garden. Many less-known WOW facts about the trees, insects and the park were discussed. The purpose was to encourage nature enthusiasts to explore outdoors and enrich their knowledge.

The walk lasted for about 3 hours, and it was well appreciated by all those who attended. Requests have been made for more such walks to be conducted.

Few pictures are available at (you may need to login to Google Picasa first and then able to access the link below)

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=114236028723925235629&target=ALBUM&id=5768251762107027217&authkey=Gv1sRgCOjp9ojK-faahgE&invite=CKSGxZgF&feat=email

This was the first walk organized by LIFE and planning to conduct on regular basis.

Nature walk - Lalbagh botanical Garden.

Discover the secret lives of our heritage trees and more. Our nature loving guides Ulhas Anand and

 T.S.Srinivas will walk  you through this public park that has undergone a series of historical

transformation through centuries. Expand your    knowledge and skills, using all senses to

explore nature in a new way or simply immerse yourself in the sounds of

 nature orchestrated by chirping birds as you walk along.

Date:-22-July-2012

Starting point:-The walk will start at the Base of the unique Lalbagh Rock, that is rich in history, which also is of special interest to geologists.

Directions:- Enter from the Double Road (KH Rd) Gate. Parking available inside.

Start time:- 8:00 am sharp!

We'd amble around at leisure within the woodland habitat of the 240 acre Botanical Garden, covering as much distance as necessary in about 3 hours time.

Call/ sms:- +91 9008416085 +91 9902200441

Book by email at sapna.sb@gmail.com, a confirmation e-mail/sms will be sent after registrations.

Walk highlights:- We'd take in the sights and sounds, learning about every living creature that we encounter - from a tiny ant to the tallest tree.

The walk will introduce many of the avenue trees, common birds & butterflies, and the little known and seldom observed smaller creatures that one commonly sees in the city. This will help you further develop your interest in wildlife photography, travel writing, and nature sketching by teaching basic identification techniques and introducing you to a wealth of information. The group will be led by naturalists with over20 years experience in the field.

Dress in:-Something comfortable.

Put on:- A cap or a hat helps in the sun, Umbrella that helps in rain.

Grab on:-Water bottle, pen, and book

Slip on or into:-Footwear that don't hamper walking,

Extras:-Binoculars & cameras.

Photographers should respect the time of others on the walk as well and not straggle away or detain the group just to get a shot.

Adithya on Kasthuri TV's reality show - Citizen Impact

LIFE was contacted by members of Kasthuri TV's reality show 'Citizen Impact' to participate in a discussion on the situation of trees and pollution in Bangalore. Dr Adithya was able to make time to attend this discussion as the invited guest, which was conducted last Thursday at Kanteerawa Studio in Mahalakshmipuram. The show aired on 29th May, 2012 between 9-10 pm. 

The citizen leaders, chosen through rounds of elimination in this reality show, had tried sell saplings and plants at nominal prices to locals in Bangalore and had received mixed responses. They shared their experiences and reflected on them. It was commonly agreed by the attendees that Bangalore's situation of greenery and pollution are critical, and needs efforts from each individuals. The host also brought to notice the dwindling of sparrows. Adithya discussed the lack of evidence on why this phenomenon has occurred, and discussed the possibility of mobile radiations and change in architecture in this occurrence. Adithya additionally commented on the need for sensitivity towards the environment as a first step towards environmental preservation. There was also discussion on the health impacts of pollution and loss of greenery. Suggestions were made on how individuals could use bird baths and bird feeds to improve chances of getting visited by sparrows, and also on use of space by planting roof-top vegetable gardens. The host also brought up the issue of development through road-widening and metro construction which has impacted greenery in Bangalore.

Adithya added that there is a need for increased efforts from an individual and from a community front. Involvement of corporates in greening efforts through corporate social responsibility wings was welcomed, but more serious followup of these initiatives is needed. 

The attendees also pledged to improve greenery in their homes and neighbourhoods and encourage the planting and maintenance of saplings and gardens. LIFE has accepted the request to help the citizen leaders in the efforts towards planting saplings to improve green cover in Bangalore. Plants were distributed to all those in attendance by the hosts.

Great energy and interest was noticed among the selected citizen leaders and the audience.  There is a need for such energetic programmes to help sensitise the wider audience.





 
 

Tree plantation at Gunjur social forest with EMC

Life has conducted tree plantation event at Gunjur social forest with sponsorship from EMC.

The event was conducted on May 22nd and 23rd with participation of more than 50 volunteers along with the Joy of giving week program. Also, this marked 1st tree plantation event in the Forest department Bengaluru, East and South Zone.

Plantation was conducted at Gunjur Social forest with guidance and support from RFO Ganesh V planting with variety of native saplings like, Neem, Honge, Fig, jumbu nerale, Naaye nerale and hippe species. These species were selected to promote local biodiversity to support various birds like Drangos, Cormorants,  egrets, cranes, red vented bulbuls, barn owl, kingfishers, green bee eaters, Ashley prinia, cuckoos, bees and insects. It is important to have a man made social forest along the city outskirts to provide natural habitats.

A demo was given to each batch of volunteers and encouraged to plant further, 200 pits were dug and was a easy task for the team to organize themselves. Each pit was moistened for easy penetration for the roots with a bucket of water, sapling were tied to pole ensure grow vertically, and then pit was closed by making small water collection area around the sapling during rain.

Once planting is done, watering will be done to all the saplings. Further, pictures will be uploaded in Google Picasa in the link mentioned below.

Team work was exhibited and female volunteers have done their physical task indeed well. We had interesting conversation with various question on events, eco consciousness to understand aspects on biodiversity.

On the 1st day around 80 saplings were planted and on the 2nd day remaining saplings were planted.

Ganesh V; RFO, KFD officials; Nagaraja and Balakrishna, Gopal; Forest guard, Shivananje Gowda; helper were present and coordinated.

From EMC around 50 volunteers (names not recorded) with key coordinators like Divya Sen, Prince Benjamin and Lath Swamy were present.

Thanks to EMC for sponsoring the event at the right time which is beginning of monsoons..

Pictures have been uploaded in this link. You may need to login with your Gmail account to access the pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/114236028723925235629/Gunjur

Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is an ornamental aquatic plant, introduced to India by British in 1900s. Now if you think any lakes overpopulated by weeds, mostly it is by these invasive plants. These are free floating plants and with green glossy thick leave and 6 petals lavender colored flowers. These can double their population in a fortnight!

Most of the birds lay eggs on these leaves thinking that can support the eggs, but it does not! If not controlled, Hyacinth will cover lakes and blocks water flow, blocks sun light and reduce oxygen in water thus killing aquatics and imbalances natural lifecycle in manmade lakes. Kerala backwaters, Bellandur Lake are notable examples.

Per a survey conducted by Bangalore University, Bellandur Lake contains highest level of heavy metals. This is due the Hyacinth has a capacity to absorb Cr, Cd, Co, Hg and Ni.

If utilized judiciously industrial water pollution can be controlled. This improves nitrification of soil. These are used for cattle food, bags, ropes made from fibers and biogas production.

These can be controlled by herbicides or plant shredding machine and BBMP is spending huge tax payer’s money to conserve the lakes.

Financial Donor list


Levine Lawrence
Harshavardhan G

Swapna SB
Geometric Software Employees
Shankinr Kumaresh
Naveen T
Balaj
Manjunath Adiga
Hamsa
raghavan
Adithya P
Amith Guptha
Jagadeesh
Divya Haritsa
Shrishail K
Anand Gothe
Arun
Tejaswini
Sharavan purohit
Amith Guptha
Vikas Chand
Abhishek shetty
Venkat
Sudarshan Muralidharappa
Nilesh jain
Nagaraj
Anand
Amogh
Neha agarwal
Urmila
Gunarathinam Mahalingam
Yashwanth Banakar
Adithya Veer Singh