Transformations that triggers Satisfaction

What gives you immense satisfaction?

A question that is always difficult to answer. There can be many answers, because satisfaction is a word that can be manifested in multiple ways. For me one of the answers is witnessing a transformation story unfolding right in front of you and playing a small part in the same. One such fascinating story is the story of the Urban Forest, #SundaraVana (Means the beautiful forest).

Bengaluru is a city of contradictions. While you see many beautiful gardens and lakes all over the city, you also spot many civic issues that hamper the nature's bliss.?The coexistence of Somasundarapalya Lake and the KCDC plant, in HSR layout is one such instance of epic contradiction. Somasundarapalya Lake was a beautiful natural lake spread over 16.29 acres, was a source of freshwater and a habitat for aqua life in the urban hermitage. But over a period of time 4.1 acres of the lake land was systematically encroached by the adjacent KCDC (compost plant) and abused as an OPEN LANDFILL for many years. The land became a cause of concern to the residents of vicinity due to the pile up of mountainous proportions of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) mercilessly thrown and viciously camouflaged by thin layers of soil cap. One could find all types of plastics and hazardous material underneath the soil cap. On several occasions the area has caught fire during peak summers threatening peaceful life for residents in the densely populated area.?

Years ago, a bunch of concerned residents from the locality came together under the umbrella of KHHSP RWA and organised protests and agitations for the shutting down of the garbage plant. Though the efforts for shutting down the plant are yet to find success, the group was able to get the authorities to wake up and initiate the lake revival process.?When lake revival was initiated a few years ago, the 4.1 acre land was orphaned due to the RDF presence. KHHSP RWA which was fighting this case worked with several govt officials and finally got the 4.1 acre land released from the clutches of the garbage plant. After several attempts and follow ups, the RDF was finally cleared to GROUND ZERO by Jan '21. Post this the citizen group also succeeded in getting KCDC to demarcate the area by constructing a wall.?

There started another revolution of all counts. The enthusiastic bunch of citizens from the RWA along with the Community Task Force & Rotary HSR Team in coordination with various authorities started a herculean task of converting this land of plastic into an urban forest, an Oxygen park. Planned plantation site details of size Total area available for plantation : 4 Acres. The efforts are nearing 100 days of daily rigour planting trees all through the land. Named appropriately as "SundaraVana" - the urban forest is taking shape in the midst of urban jungle, is nothing short of a dream fulfilment to all those who work behind the project tirelessly. People coming together from all walks of life are contributing to the scripting of this?transformation story of reclaiming life back from mortality.