Bengaluru: Citizens came together across the city over the weekend for another round of activities under TOI’s #IamBengaluru – Volunteer for Parks initiative, presented by Multigen in association with Kristu Jayanti University and supported by Greater Bengaluru Authority.At Jakkur Lake Park Saturday, the NGO Jalaposhan led a de-weeding activity. Volunteers participated in activities across the city Sunday, including a waste segregation and clean-up drive at BDA Doddakallasandra Park-2, led by Youth for Seva (YFS), and a nature walk and biodiversity survey at Rachenahalli Lake Park, led by the Naturalist School.Priya Venkatesh, founder-director of Naturalist School, said their mission is to make nature interpretation accessible and useful by helping citizens understand, document and care for the living world around them. “Our association with TOI’s #IamBengaluru gives us an opportunity to take this effort to a much larger community. At Rachenahalli Lake, we saw how much biodiversity exists in plain sight, from spot-billed pelicans to butterflies, ants, geckos and trees. Through such activities, we hope to help citizens see Bengaluru’s lakes as living ecosystems worth understanding and protecting,” she added.At Netaji Park in Rajajinagar, YFS conducted a clean-up and waste management session, while Adamya Chetana led a plantation and sapling maintenance activity at Pushpanjali Park, Banashankari. Women of Wisdom organised a community collection drive at Senior Citizens Park, JP Nagar 7th Phase, adding a community-focused dimension to the weekend’s volunteering.The activities reflected the growing diversity of #IamBengaluru, bringing together environmental action, biodiversity awareness, park care and community participation across neighbourhoods.Citizens can discover upcoming volunteering opportunities and register at iambengaluru.co.in.Participants SpeakMamatha, founder-member, Women of Wisdom: “I come to the park every day because it gives us something our increasingly built-up neighbourhoods cannot: fresh air, greenery and a little peace. The collection drive also showed how things we no longer need can find new homes with people who need them.”Krishnaveni, student, Kristu Jayanti University: “Parks are shared spaces for children, senior citizens and everyone in between, so keeping them clean is essential for health and well-being. Volunteering makes that responsibility personal and reminds us that these spaces need all of us to care for them.”Bhavya, student, Kristu Jayanti University: “Cleanliness isn’t just something we learn about; it’s something we practise in the spaces we share. Volunteering here gave me an opportunity to turn that value into action, and it is an experience I will always cherish.”Yashaswini, NCC cadet, NMKRV College: “Bengaluru’s parks are among the few places where children, senior citizens and communities can find a calm, green space together. Everyone should take responsibility for keeping the park in their neighbourhood clean, green and welcoming.”Savitha, student, NMKRV College: “I love Bengaluru for its greenery, and parks give children, senior citizens and families a place to relax. Today’s activity reminded me that keeping these spaces clean is our responsibility. #IamBengaluru gives citizens a chance to act on that responsibility.”Nandita, student, BES College: “As our neighbourhoods become more crowded, parks give us a peaceful place to breathe, meet people and feel refreshed. The collection drive also showed me how things we no longer need can be passed on to those who need them. Volunteering here has given me the positive energy to keep coming back.”Yerra Jayanth Babu, operations & data analysis professional: “My journey at Jakkur Lake began in 2022, and volunteering has since become part of my weekends. From planting and de-weeding to collecting plastic and making compost, the work has created a deep connection with the lake and a real sense of ownership.”
