Bengaluru: From planting saplings and making eco-friendly Ganesha idols to clearing over 350kg of waste, Bengalureans spent their Sunday morning giving back to the city and its environment as part of The Times of India’s #IamBengaluru – Volunteer For Parks initiative.At the plantation event at Shri Balagangadhara Swamy Park, Mahalakshmi Layout, MLA K Gopalaiah commended Adamya Chetana for organising its 558th Green Sunday. “I urge every Bengaluru resident to participate in such activities. I congratulate The Times of India and Adamya Chetana for the initiative,” he said, adding that he would ensure the saplings planted would be cared for regularly by local residents and get updates on WhatsApp.Adamya Chetana chairperson Tejaswini Ananthkumar said, “The initiative started by the late Ananth Kumar has entered its 11th year. Every week is a new learning experience.” By providing steel plates and cutlery for breakfast, Adamya Chetana helped make it a zero-waste event.The weekend also featured plogging drives in Jayanagar by Indian Ploggers Army, an eco-friendly Ganesha idol-making session by Women of Wisdom at JP Nagar, and a medicinal plants workshop at Anjanapura by Youth for Seva.Volunteers in Jayanagar were able to clear over 350kg of waste. Plog Raja, founder of The Indian Ploggers Army, said support by GBA marshals ensured that they could clear more than 20 sacks of garbage.Deepthi, treasurer, Women of Wisdom, said parks should serve as spaces for community bonding, where people from different walks of life can come together, relax and create memories.“It’s really heartening to create an eco-friendly Ganesha with clay. I’ve been participating in every #IamBengaluru activity so far, and I look forward to more such activities, said Ganishka, Class 7 and JP Nagar resident.Participants at the park in Mahalakshmi Layout also appreciated the event. “This is my first event with #VolunteerforParks. It was a unique experience. I look forward to more such events, especially near my home, said Anusha Thirthachar, Graduate, Vidyaranyapura resident.It was the first time participating in a volunteering event for Aditi Thirthachar, a Class 9 student. “It was a nice experience planting saplings. I felt good helping the environment,” she said. “Usually our Sundays are boring and we sleep in. We felt good participating in the plantation activity and giving back to society. I am also tracking the saplings I have planted on MyForest app that I have built,” said Ajay Monga, IT Employee, Mahadevapura resident.“Planting trees on two consecutive weekends made me feel very good. It makes me feel closer to nature. While I am looking forward to such events near my home, I am enthusiastic about participating in such events across the city,” added Swagat Chawla, IT employee, Mahadevapura resident.
