Sarakki Lake, one of the largest lakes in South Bangalore, is an important lake that is fast deteriorating due to unplanned urbanization, encroachments, littering and carelessness. Due to unplanned urbanization, encroachments, littering, the lake has completely changed for the worse, and its condition is worsening every day.

SLAIT, the Sarakki Lake Area Improvement Trust, are working towards reviving and saving the lake, and restoring it back to the way it used to be. As part of an awareness raising campaign for school children, SLAIT, in collaboration with us, want run awareness raising sessions in the form of fun activities and a short lesson on the history of the lake, the importance of the lake and ways to improve its conditions.

SLAIT is a perfect example of active citizenship and participation. The work of SLAIT goes to show that we, as citizens, can and should collaborate to work towards a meaningful cause. FSL-India has partnered with SLAIT, and will be intervening in different projects, whilst working towards the larger plan of reviving Sarakki Lake. The objective of this activity is to instill in community members a sense of ownership and responsibility towards our natural resources. Volunteers will, through this activity, gain experience in facilitating awareness raising activities and learn how to create dialogue with community members on the topic of environmental conservation.

 

The details and dates are still in the works, so the agenda is tentative but we are beginning to recruit volunteers now!

The (tentative) agenda is:

1. 21^st June, 14:00 – 18:00 at FSL-India head office

Initial information session with SLAIT members and participants to gain background knowledge on the current situation of Sarakki Lake, and the awareness raising action plan. Note that a presentation has already been prepared in advance. Volunteers will just be expected to provide input for improvements.

1. 22^nd June, 14: 00 – 18:00 at FSL-India head office

Meeting of all the volunteers to prepare and practice awareness raising presentation.

2. 28^th June 2014, 12:00 onwards at three public schools in J.P Nagar

Awareness raising presentations in three schools. Ideally, there should be two-four volunteers per school to carry out activities to teach students about the lake and the importance of lakes etc.

3. 12^th July 2014, 12:00 onwards at a public school in J.P. Nagar

Painting/drawing competition gallery. Based on their learnings from the awareness raising activity, the school students will be asked to create a piece of art which will be entered in a competition and displayed in a gallery.

 

We need as many volunteers to carry out the activities of the 28^th of June. If volunteering, you will be asked to take personal time out in the coming weeks to plan and organize the events. Please email fslydp@gmail.com with your name, number and  “Registration for Sarakki Lake Awareness Raising” as the subject.

 

The details are tentative and are open to changes, the only thing that will not change is our need for volunteers. Please sign up by the 18^th of June, 2014; we need as many of you as possible!

 

For more detailed information, contact fslydp@gmail.com