Go Green (Maintenance) at Chele Kere Lake - 19 Nov 2016

It reflects the sad state of Bengaluru lakes when half the people I asked direction to Chele Kere lake (from Kalyan nagar bus stop) didn't know there was a lake nearby. Some even gave me odd looks. Fortunately, those who knew guided me in right direction and I reached the spot for maintenance drive conducted by SayTrees and supported by BTC.

 

I had attended plantation drives in preceding months, but it was a first with regards to maintenance. I had come just as organizers had finished giving instructions to a good turn out of volunteers. So, after taking a few pics, I caught up with Arun to guide me.

It primarily consisted of four steps:

• Loosen the soil around the planted saplings as well as removing the overgrown weeds
• Make bund around the sapling for water to stay
• Add dry leaves (already brought to the place in huge bags) so that water evaporation is slowed, and later acts as manure
• Watering - two buckets per sapling

 

 

 

 

Despite a sunny day, we went about our task enthusiastically. It helped that usually two worked together at a sapling, taking turns with first three steps. When a few rows had been done, about half the volunteers switched to forming human chain and watering while others continued with remaining saplings.

A few of us, while taking a break from watering/digging, filled water bottles and passed around to thirsty volunteers. It was as seamless a drive as I've been part of. Everybody co-operating and switching tasks to keep going.

After first round of watering, a member from SayTrees interviewed a few of us on live video. It was interesting to hear different views and reasons. We then had some snacks and fruits to energize ourselves.

It became harder as the day became hotter but we kept at it and around noon every sapling had been taken care and watered. We did deserve the applause we gave ourselves ;) And of course, before dispersing, we took plenty of group photos.

Go Green - Diesel Loco Shed and Yeshwanthpur

Very satisfying to attend the last two go green events for the year. Thanks a lot BTC and SayTrees.

Diesel Loco Shed, KR Puram - Sep 24

It was cloudy morning with bit of a drizzle, but we BTC enthusiasts reached the venue around 8 AM, even those coming from far off places. We caught up with fellow trekkers, regaling with our recent trips as well as previous plantation drives.

 

 

 

Durgesh and other organizers from SayTrees assembled corporate employees, college and school students and others to give an overview of event, a demo of plantation, etc

 

As usual, Arun and Virender did the same for BTCians. As the plantation method was different from previous drives, everybody were keen to listen and ask questions. Then, we were split in groups (mostly 2 person) - combining first timers and those with earlier plantation drive experience.

 

With 500+ turnout and relatively simpler plantation method, we finished off all saplings in about 2 hours and were left wanting for more saplings :P Then we had feedback session - as usual we were all thrilled to be part of this wonderful initiative and told our heartfelt satisfying experiences.

  

 

Check out this beautiful coverage from TV9 on this event, also explains the Miyawaki plantation way.

TV9 coverage

Further reading: Akira Miyawaki

Yeshwanthpur - Oct 2

The sunny, hot day couldn't have been more in contrast than the cool, pleasant one at Diesel Loco Shed.

 

 

Arun, Virender and Durgesh co-ordinated to guide us or give lift to the venue from Yeshwanthpur railway station entrance. While waiting for more people to arrive, organizers from SayTrees asked us to move the saplings, sticks, manure, etc to the already dug pits.

Then as usual, we teamed up - an experienced volunteer with newbies after a demo was given. The soil was loose enough to complete planting fast and move to next one. But there were lots to plant and we took rest when needed.

We were soon pretty tired while forming human chain to pass water bucket from tanker to pits. Each sapling had to be watered twice. Again we took breaks in between, drinking more and more water ourselves as well. Special kudos to those who kept on for a long time despite the heat and effort required.

 

We had feedback session before dispersing as is customary. Many were interested in participating in the preparation process prior to planting as well - Durgesh answered the question as well as pointing out how we may help.

Go Green at Yeshwanthpur - 6 Aug, 2016

My second Go Green event with BTC and SayTrees. It was satisfying experience and memorable, like the first one.

Being far from my place, I saw how to reach the place on Google maps the previous evening. Coincidentally, Hiren and his friend were also taking metro from Indiranagar to Majestic. From there, we decided to take bus instead of going to Mantri mall for metro to Yeshwanthpur industrial stop. We also had our breakfast at Majestic.

Courtesy GPS, we got down and walked about 10 minutes to reach the venue (met Srikanth on the way, going on his bike). This event was to cover quite a large area - a dump yard near Yeshwanthpur railway station being converted to forest.

Apart from us BTCians, other teams, mainly from corporate and school/college were participating. Organizers from SayTrees gave an introductory talk about the event before we hiked to plantation site.

Preparation work of the site like digging, saplings, support sticks, manure, tools, etc had been done preceding week itself.

At the site, organizers went through the plantation process with help of a chart first and then a live demo. The various teams were divided and allocated different spots to cover.

We were given the farthest plot. We took our hoes on the way, saplings and other stuff were near the pits. Kamalesh gave a demo for our benefit and finally we got planting. A few more BTC members arrived to lend a hand as had started work.

After finishing the farthest strip, we moved back and took the large plot about 5 feet below the surrounding. First we formed human chains to pass on saplings and other stuff from top to various parts. Then we continued our planting. Some members took to co-ordinating, some to pass manure, some to collect the plastic covers, etc

Around noon, we started sharing snacks we had brought and our organizers went a step above by getting snacks/cold-drinks from nearby shops. They tasted very sweet after our hard labour ;)

After snack lunch, we continued as long as possible. Then like always, we had intro and feedback session before dispersing.

Every time it rains, I think of those saplings getting water :P Waiting for maintenance drives post monsoon to go visit them :)

Go Green at Kudlu Doddakere - 16 Jul, 2016

Remember that time as a kid you dirtied your hands gardening your plants? Making sure the roots stay under soil and water inside dam instead of running away. Of imagining all the fruits it'll bear and all the climbing opportunities? Wishing the mango tree would hurry up.

That sweet innocence of childhood is gone. Replaced by a sense of responsibility to do your bit in improving living conditions. So it was that BTC joined hands with SayTrees yet again on a plantation drive. It was my first one.

Ishan and me met at Silk Board to go together. I had a cup of tea before catching a bus. We got down at Hosa junction bus stop and decided to walk to venue (about 3 KM away, and we refused the auto guys who asked Rs 80). After a brisk walk of 1 KM or so, we stopped to have breakfast - 6 tasty idlis between us at a grand cost of Rs 30. And then we relented and took an auto for remaining distance, using smartphone for navigation. Turned out we were on the opposite lake end of meeting point :P

Overnight rain had turned the walking path around the lake slushy. We phoned ahead to inform the organizers of delay. Near the meeting point, the path was even worse. We gave our attendance and found that many more were having difficulty in reaching the venue by alloted time of 8:15 AM. After a while, we traversed back towards the lake (irony not lost on Ishan and me :P) to gather near the pits dug beforehand for plantation.

Durgesh from SayTrees talked a bit about the event while we waited for other corporate teams to arrive. The pleasant weather, lake, curiosity about the saplings, tools, meeting known BTCians and introducing to others meant it was rather part of day's fun than pain of waiting.

 

 

 

After everyone had gathered (100+ volunteers), Durgesh first took us through planned activities for the day. Then he and Arun gave a demo of planting a sapling:

1. Make sure pit is deep enough, if not use the agricultural hoe to dig a bit
2. Cut the plastic cover holding the sapling, keeping the hardened soil as intact as possible
3. Lower the sapling in pit, one person holds a wooden stick while another ties a knot to the plant. Not too tight, tied in number 8 fashion, two supporting knots if needed
4. Then fill the pit with sand, avoid stones and break down chunks of clay sand if needed
5. Finish with a bund to hold water

Sounds easy enough. Only it wasn't so ideal every time. We were allocated pits according to teams and then asked to work in groups - minimum 2 and ideally 3 together.

But ours was a 4 numbered one and looking back, it worked out well. Sangeetha, Ishan, Naveen and yours truly took to the task as diligently as we could. We took turns to do those steps, sometimes doing all of it together. We started from furthest corner and moved out as we planted saplings one after the other.

The reclaimed land around the lake from encroaching buildings wasn't the easiest to work with. Overnight rain had hardened clay like soil, harder to work especially after initial work with red soil. The roots tangled in plastic were the worst to deal with. As the day became warmer and our toil took toll, we found ourselves taking break more often. The red bananas never tasted so sweet :P

Chit-chatting among ourselves and with those around helped to take our mind from feeling weary. Organizers came a few times to take pics, words of encouragement, suggestions, live video and so on.

Around 11:30 AM, some started helping in watering the saplings. They formed a human chain to pass buckets of water from a water tank called for this purpose. With hunger gnawing, we four finished whatever saplings we had, washed our hands and sat down to munch khakras. We shared some with others and passed the dates pack for everybody. Shortly, the organizers got a box of samosas and shared with all. I shared Energy bar and Electral as well. (hadn't expected they would come in handy)

Many left after that. With plenty of saplings still left, we ploughed on. We mended a few poorly done plantations as well. Probably because the soil here was particularly hard to work with. By now, few local kids joined us - mostly helping with passing around blade, cutting the plastic, collecting the plastic, etc.

Around 1 PM, we called it a day. Those who had opted to sponsor a sapling paid the organizers. Someone had got a pack of chocolates, which we eagerly finished off. After feedback, we took group pics and dispersed. The four of us had lunch together to cap a wonderfully spent day :)

 

Highlights

• Saplings: Neem, Peepal, Mango, Berries etc
• Organized by SayTrees. 100+ people turned up
• Planted around 600
• Maintenance drives planned after monsoon till next July. About 95% survival rate of saplings planted previous years
• SayTrees have already planted 10000+ this year, more planned