For the past three years, environmentalists from Vanshakti, along with a few activists and students, have been putting up a tough fight to protect Aarey forest and safeguard our future. However, now these green crusaders have been barred from entering the location where the work for the metro car shed has already begun. A recent air quality measurement by System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) found Mumbai’s Air Quality Index to be at 244 (‘poor’) -- higher even than Delhi which fell from 204 to 183 (‘moderate’). In fact, PM2.5 levels in Mumbai, recorded at 109, were almost twice the safe limit. It is a well known fact that green cover in cities can help tackle rising air pollution -- The Nature Conservancy’s study reports how urban trees can remove up to a quarter of PM pollution within a few meters, and can even function as a barrier for local residents, filtering bad air. When government officials and citizens all over the world are investing in tree plantation drives to tackle air pollution and climate change, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is determined to fell 3,500 for a metro car shed. The Aarey forest is a part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and supports an entire ecosystem of its own, with a rich biodiversity. An ecosystem like this takes hundreds of years to build up, and cannot be re-planted over night. We are not against the expansion of the metro in Mumbai, but an ecologically sensitive area like Aarey forest, which functions are the largest natural air purifier for the city, cannot be cleared for the metro car shed. There are plenty of non-residential, and industrial locations for the metro car shed to be constructed -- but, not at the cost of Mumbai’s lungs. The MMRC has gone ahead with the project without waiting for the National Green Tribunal to pass its verdict on declaring Aarey as a forest. We need your support to let CM Fadnavis know that breathing clean air is our right. If enough people lend their voice to our fight for clean air, we can put pressure on the CM to relocate the metro car shed. People power has worked before, and we know it will work again! Sources: India Times https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/increasing-tree-cover-in-mega-indian-cities-can-help-reduce-particulate-matter-and-temperatures-264763.html Hindustan Times - http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-s-air-quality-on-sunday-was-the-worst-for-this-winter/story-nL9Y67W9Bq1OBjTZlGDcZL.html The Hindu - http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/residents-move-hc-over-metro-shed-at-aarey/article19848519.ece

Bangaloreans can no longer brag about the ‘natural air-conditioning’ in the city. The summers are getting hotter and garbage burning is adding to the heat. Open burning of garbage is a common practice around the city. It is so normal that most people don’t even know that it is against the law. Particulate matter on Bangalore’s busy roads is 6 times the limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation. Garbage burning greatly contributes to the existing urban air pollution which is known to reduce the lives of Indians by over 3 years. The cocktail of toxins that are released while burning garbage is extremely harmful to humans, causing growth defects and cancer in children. Our campaign is called #BangaloreIsBurning, because our city is being smothered under the smoke of burning garbage. Here is the problem: The burning of garbage represents a whole systems failure. It’s what happens when there’s overconsumption, littering, not enough waste segregation, too few sorting facilities, and not enough landfills. But the good news is that there is no shortage of solutions. If the BBMP makes this a priority, and invests/enforces accordingly, we can not only end garbage burning in our beautiful city, but it will also be major step forward in addressing the problem of waste management itself. We already have 4 Indian cities on the list of 10 most polluted cities in the world. Let’s not add Bangalore to that list. Let’s help Bangalore be recrowned as the ‘garden city’ of India. Any time you spot garbage burning in the city, send the photos and location to us via WhatsApp on 888-498-3333. Let's tell the BBMP that garbage burning is illegal and the ban on open garbage burning must be enforced immediately!

Over half of Bengaluru’s 70 lakes are severely polluted – the water is not fit for drinking or even bathing, according to a Water Quality Index test carried out by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board in November last year. Bellandur Lake, the city’s largest water body that’s spread over 750 acres, is the most polluted and has caught fire multiple times in the last few years. In fact, the pollution levels are so severe that toxic froth routinely forms on the lake bed and spills over into surrounding areas. KJ George recently said that he wants the lake to become a water sports hub following its revival. While these are grand plans, the core problem needs urgent addressing. Nearly 400 litres of effluents and sewage are flushed into Bellandur lake every day. Almost 5000 army personnel were roped in in a 24-hour operation to douse the blaze last month. According to experts, the sludge has accumulated 40 feet deep inside the lake bed. Besides, residents around the area have been inhaling toxic fumes and putting up with the stink that emanates from the lake, which is a serious health concern. While there are lots of citizen groups and local bodies engaged in awareness and activism around saving the lake, there needs to be greater accountability at the government level. From the BDA down to the BBMP and BWSSB, they need to have a streamlined action plan to tackle the issue. If one nodal agency (BDA) is in charge, other agencies can work in co-ordination with the BDA. Bengaluru's reputation of pristine air has been under threat for a while now and with rapid encroachment and development, air pollution levels are only getting worse. If Bellandur lake is restored, its success could be replicated to save other lakes around the city. Sources: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/long-strenuous-way-ahead-for-bellandur-lake-revival/articleshow/62815668.cms http://www.deccanherald.com/content/662301/bellandur-varthur-lakes-become-water.html http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2018/jan/22/53-lakes-in-bengaluru-tested-not-even-one-has-safe-water-1760808.html https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+herald-epaper-deccan/missing+cctv+footage+of+bellandur+lake+2+weeks+after+blaze-newsid-80928001