Bengaluru: 70 Volunteers Cleaned 3000 Kg Of Garbage From Hebbal Lake In Three Hours

On Sunday, South Indian cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru became a part of a cleanliness drive, India Clean Sweep, that was arranged by the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), Chennai Trekking Club and The Hindu.

Speaking to The Logical Indian, Gowthami Ashok, the communications head at EFI said that around 70 volunteers gathered at Hebbal lake in Bengaluru on Sunday morning after taking prior permission from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). “I have to say that for a first time initiative in Bengaluru, the response was tremendous and the turnout was great. The support from the side of the government has proved to be really helpful in making this initiative a success,” she added.

The volunteers targeted a patch behind the lake – a place that is not easily accessible to humans. They were given masks, buckets, and other necessary equipment to carry out the task.

The volunteers used their hands to pick up the non-biodegradable and other plastic waste that had accumulated in and around the lake.

In about three hours (6 am to 9 am), they were able to clear three tons of garbage around Hebbal Lake.

Along with Bangalore, India Clean Sweep was also carrying out similar cleanliness drive in cities like Tirunelveli. Coimbatore and Puducherry on Sunday.

This process is called the ‘scientific lake restoration process’, as told by Ashok. The lakes are first cleaned with the help of volunteers and later in the process, a rolling machinery is brought in to de-silt the lake. An embankment is then made around the lake to prevent any further encroachment by humans and waste dumping.

“This initiative is responsible for the restoration of 25 lakes in Chennai”, said Ashok.

The Logical Indian community acknowledges the commendable efforts taken by EFI, Chennai Trekking Club and The Hindu to clean Indian cities. We urge more people to be part of similar initiatives.

To know more about India Clean Sweep drive, click here.