Written by: Saptarchi Biswas (2BALIB) and Sonika Krishnan (4BALIB)
Edited by: Nihilaa.V.M (4BALIB)
In a spirited effort to rejuvenate Bengaluru’s beloved Hulimavu Lake, the students of the Liberal Arts from Christ University’s Bannerghatta Road Campus, took to the shores with passion and purpose. This clean-up drive was more than an event; it became an eye-opener, a call to action for the eco-consciousness in all who joined. In collaboration with the Ploggers Army, an organization in Bangalore dedicated to large-scale environmental clean-ups, the students saw firsthand how even small, meaningful steps can create lasting change for our urban ecosystems.
Reviving Hulimavu: A Small Step with Big Ripples
Once a haven of lush greenery and freshwater, Hulimavu Lake has since become a site troubled by pollution and encroachment. Eager to make a difference, Liberati, a student association of the department organized a clean-up that brought together students, faculty, and the Ploggers Army, creating a collective force dedicated to reviving this vital water body. Armed with gloves, garbage bags, and an inspiring sense of purpose, they picked the waste along the lake’s shores, demonstrating how determination and teamwork can breathe life back into neglected spaces.
Getting Down to Business: Sorting Through Waste
This drive was more than picking up litter—it was a hands-on learning experience. Volunteers, under the guidance of environmental experts, didn’t just collect trash; they sorted it, separating plastics, glass, and organic waste for recycling and safe disposal. Sakhi, one of the participants, shared her realization, saying, “Oftentimes people ignore the little things—throwing trash out of a car window, leaving a chip wrapper on the table, buying that single-use plastic bag because you couldn’t carry an alternative. Today, we realized it’s time to make an impact.” Sakhi’s reflection on these daily habits captured the group’s growing awareness of how even small choices add up over time.
The tide of Change: Personal Reflections from the Lakefront
For many, the day was about awakening to a new perspective. Pranati voiced this beautifully, saying, “The lake clean-up drive was a small step towards awakening the eco-sensitive side in all of us. It was a positive initiative that showed us that regardless of whether or not one is actively engaged in irresponsible waste disposal, they will inevitably be affected by it. The clean-up drive was a step in the right direction in the journey towards environmental and social justice.” Her words captured the core lesson that we’re all in this together; environmental responsibility touches each one of us, whether we realize it or not.
For Yazhini, the hands-on experience left a lasting impact: “Having gained hands-on experience in how the process works and observing how waste is collected, we will now be more mindful of how we manage and dispose of our own waste moving forward.” Seeing the litter up close was a powerful reminder of the responsibility we each hold in protecting natural spaces.
Lakshita’s favourite activity was creating “bottle bricks”—plastic bottles stuffed with non-recyclable waste, which can be repurposed for construction. “It was so fun to make them… Overall, it was a great hands-on experience,” she said, adding that she hopes future events can include even more participants from different departments.
Jhanvi shared how the experience deepened her commitment to environmental care, saying, “This experience not only helped me understand the importance of responsible waste disposal but also fueled my commitment to environmental sustainability.” For her, the day underscored how individual action plays a role in fostering a sustainable world.
Aditri, like many of her peers, hoped to see the drive grow: “It was definitely an eye-opening experience. I would love to do it again, and I wish more people would join in for the cause.”
Sifat described the cleanup drive as a truly transformative experience. Seeing waves of people unite with a shared purpose of environmental conservation was nothing short of inspiring. The way collective efforts spark such visible change was a beautiful reminder that even small actions, when carried out together, hold immense power. As the lake grew cleaner, so did Sifat's appreciation for the wonder of community-driven change, deepening a sense of responsibility toward nature and the impact of our united efforts.
Nesiga shared that the event stood as a powerful testament to the strength of collective action in reviving the environment. The sight of students and faculty uniting for such a worthy cause was truly inspiring, a moment that highlighted the incredible impact of teamwork. Through this experience, she has gained a deeper understanding of the crucial importance of conserving precious water bodies.
These reflections highlighted how the Hulimavu Lake clean-up touched participants deeply, shaping their environmental consciousness and sparking a sense of responsibility that they would carry forward.
Beyond Clean-Up: Conversations That Count
In addition to physically cleaning up the lake, the event facilitated insightful discussions led by faculty members. These conversations delved into the broader implications of lake conservation, pollution prevention, and ecosystem preservation. Volunteers came away with a deeper understanding of the factors affecting Hulimavu Lake and, by extension, the importance of sustainable practices in their daily lives.
Building a Legacy of Responsibility
The Hulimavu Lake clean-up drive was more than a one-day event—it was a powerful reminder of the positive change that community-led efforts can bring. By sparking conversation and inspiring practical action, the event encouraged participants to embrace sustainable habits that will benefit the community in the long run. As Pranati aptly noted, “The clean-up drive was a step in the right direction on the journey toward environmental and social justice,” capturing the spirit of the day.
Ultimately, the drive at Hulimavu Lake demonstrated that even small actions, when taken together, can create ripples of change. Each piece of trash picked up, every bottle brick created, brought us closer to a cleaner, greener future, showing that even small waves can create big ripples. Through this experience, students at Christ University have sown the seeds of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility, leaving behind a legacy of care and action for the generations to come.
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