Bengaluru: Citizens came together over the weekend to clean, green and enliven neighbourhood parks through a range of activities as part of The Times of India’s #IamBengaluru – Volunteer For Parks initiative.Presented by Multigen and supported by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the activities were conducted in collaboration with non-govt partners Youth for Seva, Women of Wisdom, and Adamya Chetana.Volunteers took part in plogging drives in Rajajinagar and Konanakunte, combining physical activity with efforts to keep public spaces clean. In Malleswaram, Youth for Seva led an eco-sustainability session encouraging environmentally responsible practices.At JP Nagar, Women of Wisdom organised a microgreens workshop, waste segregation awareness session, and community dance activities, offering residents different ways to engage with their neighbourhood park while learning about sustainable living.At Doddakallasandra, Adamya Chetana conducted a native species sapling plantation drive, with volunteers helping green the park and promoting indigenous plants.On Sunday, MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao visited Souharda Udyanavana in Malleswaram, under Gandhinagar assembly constituency, and interacted with volunteers and participants. He stressed the need to protect Bengaluru’s green spaces amid rapid growth. “Amid the city’s tremendous growth, we need to preserve our green spaces. We have many youngsters here who have come forward to work towards this. I wish them the very best and congratulate TOI on this initiative,” he said.Volunteers were also briefed on the importance of medicinal plants and the health benefits of exposure to greenery by Ayurveda expert Trishal Rao.Residents speakHari M, KR Pura residentKeeping our environment clean and free of plastic waste is important, and I like to contribute towards this. This was my first Volunteer for Parks event, I look forward to more such initiativesRajnish Chaurasia, IISc alumnusWith rapid urbanisation, our lifestyle is moving away from greenery in the name of development. This is affecting our health and mindset. Even though we’re earning well, many of us lack peace. Parks help bring people together to enjoy nature’s benefits and create a good social atmosphereSerena Ayer, Mount Carmel University student and NSS volunteerI’ve been volunteering with #IamBengaluru and enjoyed cleaning parks and painting park equipment. Volunteer for Parks is making our Sundays memorable and meaningful by giving us a chance to give back to societySanika S, Mount Carmel University student and NSS volunteerIn cities, parks are lung spaces that need to be preserved. Encouraging the youth to participate in such events inspires others as well. This is a great initiativePriyanka R, Nagawara resident and corporate employeeI’m happy to contribute to the city’s environment as I love its greenery. As citizens, all of us can contribute through simple steps like segregating domestic waste, not littering and reducing pollutionSubhan, Koramangala residentI really love TOI’s initiative of rejuvenating urban parks, as it is very important for the city’s biodiversity. Better parks mean better communities that can spend some time with nature amid the chaos of city lifeBhuvan, JP Nagar residentI’m really interested in plants and greenery. When I came to know about the microgreens workshop, I came here along with my mother and baby sister. Really proud to be a part of #IamBengaluruArchana, JP Nagar residentParks are the lifeline of Bengaluru and make this city a great place to live in. It’s important that we look after our parks, as they offer us moments of peace in our otherwise busy lifestylesLakshmamma, retired bank officer, BanaswadiAs a cervical cancer survivor, I can vouch for the fact that it’s important to stay around plants and greenery to help us breathe in fresh, oxygen-rich air. Parks are our best sources of fresh air, and it’s our duty to keep them clean and plastic-freeSubhadra, Adamya Chetana volunteerBy volunteering for the plogging activity, we are removing trash while also letting people know the immense effort that goes into keeping parks clean. Bengalureans, who are getting used to living in concrete jungles, will get a sense of ownership by volunteering for parks, and this will go a long way in making them responsible for public spaces
