Can Bangaloreans turn digital for green action? Government’s new ‘green’ apps challenge you to protect lakes and parks. Will the initiative flourish or falter?
Going green, App-solutely!
Good news for the environment-conscious who have long expressed concerns about the condition of lakes, water bodies, parks, and the overall green landscape of Bangalore.
The government has recently introduced four Apps, providing citizens with easy access to information on the progress made in the maintenance and preservation of these crucial natural resources.
The government stresses that the Apps – Kere Mitra, Udyana Mitra, and Hasiru Rakshaka – are designed to offer real-time information about lakes and parks through citizens’ active involvement. And Bangaloreans can now conveniently register their complaints and concerns regarding parks and lakes using these apps.
BBMP Chief Commissioner, Tushar Giri Nath, said, “Public monitoring of their cleaning and maintenance is now feasible through the Apps, granting them control over these vital spaces.”
Through the application’s registration process, residents can supervise daily tasks, including sweeping, pruning hedges, watering, lawn mowing, borewell maintenance, gate operations, garbage removal, and all electrical works related to the parks.
BBMP Special Commissioner (Lakes) Preeti Gehlot stated, “We are diligently preparing a comprehensive editorial report on these apps, which will be made available to the public soon.”
The government’s move is in line with a 2019 Karnataka High Court order that had called for decentralised governance of lakes in the state, thereby recalling a 2012 order that allowed centralised management of lakes.
The HC order —allowing local public the access to lake restoration and revival activities — was aimed at preserving and rejuvenating the dying lakes in the state.
The BBMP said that it has decided to entrust the management of city parks to local residents under the Udyana Mitra initiative. With 1200 parks in the city, residents are encouraged to actively participate in their maintenance.
Hope floats; skepticism lingers
Bangaloreans seem to have embraced the idea, albeit with justifiable reservations about its actual effectiveness. Their concerns hold merit, considering the track record of the government and the BBMP.
Despite being at the forefront of monitoring water bodies, overseeing 172 lakes in 2023, they have faced criticism for failing to maintain them, leading to the deterioration of even several restored lakes.
A glaring example is the Kodige Singasandra Lake in the Bommanahalli zone, restored at a cost of Rs 14 lakh in 2019, which now suffers from neglect and lack of maintenance.
Another cause for concern is the state of Madiwala Lake, one of Bangalore’s oldest lakes, sprawling over 253.38 acres. Currently, it is severely polluted due to sewage discharge. In May of last year, the lake witnessed a tragic incident where nearly 300 fish were found dead.
“I used to visit the lake often for the splendid environment it used to offer. Today, the shocking amount of litter and trash in and around it is disheartening. Installing CCTV cameras and empowering the police to catch those dumping waste in the lakes is a reasonable solution. Despite being one of the best spots for bird watchers during winter, the lake has become unbearable due to the strong smell of garbage,” says Sayak Adhikari, resident from BTM 2nd Stage.
Several lakes in Bangalore, including Agara, Bellandur, and Hebbal, have found themselves in a distressing state, capturing public attention in recent months due to inadequate garbage disposal and a lack of maintenance in the surrounding parks.
Sahaj Reddy, a resident from HSR Layout, shared his dismay, stating, ” I witnessed its (Agara Lake) pristine state until a few months ago when a significant garbage buildup occurred, possibly from local food joints. The nearby service road turned into a nightmare. In early November, with BBMP support, we conducted a successful cleanup, removing approximately 100 kgs of waste. Despite challenges from ongoing metro construction, I call for strict measures against those exploiting the darkness to vandalize these beautiful areas.”
Vivek Suresh, a resident of Bellandur, expresses concern over the deteriorating condition of the once-great Bellandur lake, now reduced to a dumping ground for industrial and chemical waste.
“The absence of proper maintenance, measures, monitoring, and government interest has led to its complete destruction. The excessive foaming and recent fire incidents are far from normal. I empathize with the residents living nearby; the situation is hazardous, even the air they breathe poses a threat,” he says.
Ram Swaroop Singh, a Nagavara resident, voices dismay, “I reside in an apartment close to Hebbal Lake, a designated heritage site. The current state of the lake is appalling, with extensive weed coverage and surrounding areas filled with trash. It is disheartening to witness such a careless treatment of our heritage, allowing them to be filled with filth.”
Voices on the streets
“I sincerely hope that the applications developed by the government bring justice to the city’s lakes and parks. I envision Bangalore regaining its long-lost title as the Garden City, free from the reputation of being the City of Traffic Congestion & Pollution.”
Sayak Adhikari, a resident from BTM 2nd Stage
“The residents need to understand that we cannot just blame the authorities and wash our hands; we are equally responsible for the maintenance of our heritage sites. Why can’t we take lessons from Ulsoor Lake? The apps are a good initiative, and I truly hope people leverage them to the core.”
Ram Swaroop Singh, a resident of Nagavara
“I did hear about these recent apps; however, several residents of Bellandur, including me, have registered complaints with the authorities on multiple occasions, which yielded no fruits. How do we know our active participation through the apps will be taken seriously?”
Vivek Suresh, a resident from Bellandur
I have come to know about the Kere Mithra app, and that’s a great initiative; I hope people and the authorities take the utmost interest to keep our city’s natural heritage clean and tidy.”
Sahaj Reddy, a resident from HSR Layout
KNOW THE 3 APPS
Kere Mitra App:
- Keeps Bengaluru residents informed about lake cleaning and maintenance activities.
- Allows people to register and volunteer for lake-related work.
- Facilitates BBMP officials in monitoring daily activities for lake maintenance.
Udyana Mitra App:
- Developed for monitoring Bengaluru’s 1200 parks.
- Residents can register and volunteer for daily tasks like cleaning, watering, and gate operations.
Hasiru Rakshaka App:
- Involves school children in tree planting initiatives.
- Successful nurturers of a plant for three years receive ‘Hasiru Rakshaka-Green Guardian’ certificates.