Thread by @MongabayIndia

Indian cities are not typically imagined to be biodiversity hotspots. Aspects of urban ecology often get missed in public conversations about the city.
In a series of illustrations, we explore the different dimensions of Bengaluru's lakes.
Thread 1/n
@citizenmatters @sustainBLR

Illustrations: Labonie Roy
Text: @ByAditiTandon @priyankash96
Anchor: @kcmouli25
Watch this space. We will update 1 illustration per day.
#environment #cities #biodiversity #art #illustrations

Let's start at the very beginning...
When you read you begin with A-be-see!

Every artwork has elements of household and construction waste that the artist found in her neighbourhood in Bengaluru. Look closely and see if you can spot them!
Leave your responses as comments :)

Why are many lakes in Bengaluru green? It is because they are blanketed by microscopic plants that contain chlorophyll, called algae.

A lake’s beauty comes from the biodiversity it hosts, its calm waters and views. But in recent times, ‘beautification’ in the urban context, is associated with artificial structures and concretisation.
Thread - B/Z!

Coracles are round, light-weight boats that are a throwback to Bengaluru of yore. Before becoming a #tourist attraction, the boats were used by fishers for traditional #fishing.
Thread - C/Z.

Dragonflies on the hunt, skimming over lakes.
What kind of waste do you think Labonie has used, in this illustration?
#Dragonflies #insects
#Artfromwaste #illustration
Thread: D/Z.

Effluent is wastewater containing a high amount of toxins that flow out of factories, industries or sewer plants, directly into water bodies. They also lead to the formation of #froth - bubbles that form a white layer on lakes.
#pollution #industry #lakes
Thread: E and F / Z

G for... groundwater!
Conserving groundwater needs action by both the citizens and the government who together need to ensure that groundwater recharge is carried out at scale across the city.
Thread: G/Z.
#groundwater #aquifer #recharge

In Bengaluru, a lake is a place of many ‘Hellos’ – familiar hellos and new hellos. Here, friendships are formed, much-needed alone time is sought, communities come together and outdoor recreation is pursued.
Thread: H/Z.
#publicspaces #outdoors

Waterbirds like egrets, pond herons and the Ibis frequent Blore lakes.
Snakes, jungle cats, mongooses, slender loris and Jackals are also found in lakes -- and are now dwindling fast.
Thread: I+J / Z.
#birds #wildlife #cities #lakes

Kere (ಕೆರೆ) is ‘lake’ in Kannada. Blore also has a number of smaller water bodies – gokattes (water bodies of 1-3 acres) & kuntes (water bodies less than 1 acre) – which have been around for centuries.
#kere #waterbodies #watersecurity

There are so many people who depend directly on the lakes for their livelihood; and there are many others who depend indirectly. The revival of lakes thus must factor in the protection of livelihoods too.
Thread: L/Z.
#livelihood

A microclimate is the climate of a small specific area. Lakes play an important role in managing #microclimate. They maintain atmospheric temperatures and reduce the impact of the urban heat island effect.
#heatislands

Resident birds and summer visitors nest in the greenery on the fringes or the vegetation or mini islands in the middle of the lakes. The birds depend on the smaller animals, insects and plants around the wetland to feed.
#Birds #nesting #behaviour
Thread: N/Z.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in water. Adequate DO is a good measure of a lake’s quality. If the DO in a lake drops, the aquatic life suffers.
#DissolvedOxygen #Pollution #water
Thread: O/Z.

Effective, sustained PUBLIC ACTION has made a huge difference in the revival of many damaged lakes in Bengaluru. The story of Jakkur lake @jalaposhan set an example for the success of inclusive rejuvenation projects.
#PublicAction

Ah.. Zen!
Calm waters and musical nature, plus the vegetation that cushion the area from the urban din!
#quiet #calm #mentalhealth
Thread: Q/Z.

Raja kaluves are a network of natural or human-made channels or stormwater drains, which transport surplus water from higher elevation lakes to lower elevation lakes.
Did you even know these exist in Blore?
Thread: R/Z.

Soppu, or different kinds of green leafy vegetables, grow naturally around wetlands in Bengaluru. Many foragers collect the greens to sell them. Healthy lakes encourage healthy greens and support livelihoods.
#EatYourGreens
Thread: S/Z.

Bengaluru lakes play host to some of India's 29 native species of freshwater turtles and tortoises - and some invasive ones as well.
#invasivespecies #turtles
Thread: T/Z.

Bengaluru is India's third most populous city. Urbanisation, though inevitable and needed in the process of modernisation, comes at the cost of green spaces.
#Urbanisation
Thread: U/Z.

Vrishabhavathi is a river that flows through the south of Bengaluru, past 96 of the 198 wards of the municipal corporation.
Vrishabhavathi eventually winds out in the Arkavathi, carrying the city's trash and damaging water downstream.
#Vrishabhavathi #rivers
Thread: V/Z.