Bengaluru: Citizens continued to show up for green spaces Sunday under TOI’s #IamBengaluru – Volunteer for Parks initiative, presented by Multigen in association with Kristu Jayanti University and supported by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).At Gottigere Lake, Indian Ploggers Army led a lakeside plogging activity, bringing together volunteers to clear litter while promoting responsible waste disposal and citizen ownership of public spaces. At Kempabudhi Park, Gavipura, Adamya Chetana organised the planting of medicinal creepers, introducing volunteers to the importance of native species and their role in strengthening urban biodiversity.Srikanta Prasad K, volunteer coordinator at Adamya Chetana, said, “A green Bengaluru is a dream Bengaluru, and I’ve always loved the city for its Garden City heritage. Nothing thrives like native plants in their natural environment, and protecting them is key to preserving our biodiversity. #IamBengaluru is an excellent initiative and I hope it inspires many more citizens to reconnect with nature and care for our parks. Let us thrive by being one with nature.”The weekend’s activities reflected the movement’s continued emphasis on combining environmental action with community participation, encouraging Bengalureans to devote a few hours every weekend to preserving parks and lakes.Citizens can discover upcoming volunteering opportunities and register at iambengaluru.co.in.“Over the past decade, we’ve seen Gottigere Lake transform because citizens, NGOs and volunteers chose to work together. Initiatives like #IamBengaluru bring that same spirit to a larger audience, proving that every lake, every park and every street is our shared responsibility, not just someone else’s. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” said Kamlesh Nichani, founder trustee, Citizen Participation Programme.“Collecting nearly 75kg of waste today showed us what teamwork can achieve in just a few hours. If Bengaluru is to reclaim its identity as Garden City, young people have to lead from the front — not just by talking about change, but by showing up for it,” said Kirti Katta, social responsibility club, SCMS Bengaluru.“Volunteering every week has changed my own habits as much as it has changed the parks. I now carry my own water bottle, avoid single-use plastic and encourage others to do the same. Real change begins when the values we practise during volunteering become part of our everyday lives,” said Rajasekhar, site engineer & Gottigere resident.“Parks have always been my happy place, so seeing them littered made me feel I couldn’t just walk away. #IamBengaluru is the civic awakening Bengaluru needs, reminding us that even a small act of volunteering can create a much larger impact. I am Bengaluru and I care for the Bengaluru I call home,” said Bharathan, MBA student, Alliance University.
