Bengaluru: The city’s green spaces saw volunteers turn up in numbers Sunday as TOI’s #IamBengaluru – Volunteer for Parks initiative continued with activities across the city.At Railway Layout Park, Youth for Seva (YFS) volunteers took up plogging and mapped litter hotspots, while at Railway Layout Upakara Park, YFS led a waste segregation and dry litter collection activity. At BDA 10th Block Park in Banashankari, Adamya Chetana Foundation organised a care and maintenance activity for native saplings.In Yelahanka, Naturalist School conducted a lake biodiversity walk and survey at Rachenahalli Lake Park. At Hennur Lake, Team Social Spotlight (TSS) led a bird-watching activity, and at Richmond Town Park, TSS also organised a botanical art activity where participants engaged with plants through art. At Shantinagar Park Ground, Indian Ploggers Army led a special solid waste segregation and clean-up activity.NA Haris, Shantinagar MLA and BDA chairman, said, “Keeping our surroundings clean is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the govt. We must reduce waste at the source rather than generate garbage and expect someone else to clean it up. Residents, associations and NGOs are doing their bit, but those who dump waste irresponsibly must be identified and educated.”The #IamBengaluru – Volunteer for Parks initiative, presented by Multigen in association with Kristu Jayanti University and supported by the GBA, encourages citizens to take ownership of their neighbourhood parks and contribute to a greener Bengaluru.Navaneeth TS, 34, Electronics City Phase 1 resident, said, “The litter is everywhere, and the amount of it that goes to landfill bothers me a lot. So, I’m doing my part to bring change. This is only a first step, and it was the first event for many of the people here.”Jennifer Abraham, Richmond Town resident and travel agent, added it’s important to hold people responsible.“This is my environment, and I want it clean. I’d like others to see what we’re doing and do it themselves, and stop throwing pamphlets,” she said.Rima Kashyap, 84, Richmond Town resident, added, “We put up dual dustbins around the park at our cost, so garbage goes in the right places. It’s our responsibility to keep our parks clean and healthy as GBA just plants and goes; daily upkeep is ours.”Stuti, student, NPS Rajajinagar said#IamBengaluru is a wonderful way for young people to take responsibility for the spaces around them. “Today, it reminded me that even a small community effort can make a meaningful difference to our environment.”Sriyaa, student, Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, said,“We often come to parks to enjoy nature, but forget to think about the effort needed to keep them clean. Instead of simply noticing the problem, we can take the first step ourselves and by leading through action, encourage others to do the same.”Abhishek SA, MBA student, Alliance University, said Bengaluru’s parks and lakes are an important part of what makes the city special. “The lake biodiversity walk and using iNaturalist to identify species made me look at nature more closely and appreciate how much life exists around us. Initiatives like #IamBengaluru can turn that awareness into collective responsibility for the city’s parks and lakes.”
