The festival of Yugadi is deeply rooted in the environment. In the month of Chaitra, trees don green leaves and sway in the breeze. Flowers bloom, attracting bees and insects. Various fruits, including mangoes, become sweet to the taste. As a symbol of the natural ups and downs in life, we symbolically accept neem flowers and jaggery. This signifies our coexistence with nature.
In the context of such a nature-based festival, isn’t it necessary to assess our coexistence with nature? This would help us improve the current environment and ensure that future generations can live peacefully in villages and towns. Instead of doing this, can we truly celebrate the festival just by eating holige (a sweet dish)?
Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka have witnessed significant environmental changes over the last few decades. Rapid urbanization, climate change, and excessive human activity are the reasons behind these changes. Here is an overview of the major changes.
Has Bengaluru remained the garden city?
Once famously known as the “Garden City,” Bengaluru has significantly lost its green cover. The vegetation cover, which was around 68% in 1973, has decreased to less than 15% by 2013. Thousands of trees have been felled for infrastructure projects like the suburban rail plan (over 32,000 trees have been cut in the last decade). Concrete areas have increased by 1050% in 50 years, while green spaces have significantly reduced.
Water scarcity and the depletion of lakes
In the 1970s, Bengaluru city had around 285 lakes, which have now reduced to 194, with many being encroached upon. Many lakes have no water, and the canals that supplied water have been encroached upon or have dried up. Instead of water, many existing lakes are filled with sewage. As a result, these lakes face both encroachment and pollution. For example, Bellandur Lake has caught fire due to sewage and waste.
Do you know how much water Bengaluru city needs daily?
Bengaluru city receives 2,200 million liters of water daily from the Cauvery River and excessively uses groundwater. It is estimated that by 2031, the demand may reach 5,340 million liters.
Flooding and drainage issues
On March 22, 2025, 53 mm of rain caused flooding in areas like K.R. Puram. The encroachment of lakes (reduced from 400 to 65) and poor drainage systems are the reasons behind this. Climate change has increased the frequency of such incidents.
Rising air pollution
By 2030, air pollution may increase by 74% due to vehicle emissions, construction dust, and road dust. The declining use of public transport (from 62% to 48%) is exacerbating this issue.
Heat island effect
Due to the significant reduction in green cover, the heat island effect has caused a rise in temperature. Bengaluru, once known for its mild climate, now sees temperatures exceeding 34°C in summer.
What about the rest of Karnataka?
There have been changes in rainfall patterns, mainly. By the mid-2030s, rainfall in the coastal and Krishna-Cauvery basin areas may increase by 10-25%. However, rainfall variability is also increasing, leading to shortages in some years, which affects agriculture.
Biodiversity loss in the Western Ghats
By 2050, one-third of the Western Ghats may lose its biodiversity (with a temperature increase of 1.5-2°C). Forest destruction, mining, and encroachment are reducing biodiversity.
Water scarcity and drought
While Bengaluru city faces challenges, rural Karnataka is experiencing groundwater depletion and increasing drought. The plan to pump an additional 500 million liters from the K.R.S. Dam highlights this issue.
Human-wildlife conflict
Roads, power lines, and encroachment have reduced wildlife habitats, increasing conflicts. Elephant corridors are still not fully developed.
Land and soil degradation
In mining areas (like Ballari and Hassan) and agricultural lands, soil quality has deteriorated. Climate change is further intensifying this problem.
What are the action plans to protect the environment?
Not all formulated plans are being implemented. In Bengaluru, a climate action plan was launched in 2023. It is said that 269 measures have been taken to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, but the impact is not yet visible. Hessarghatta has been declared a grassland conservation area, but implementation is slow.
While Bengaluru mainly faces issues like reduced green cover, water scarcity, flooding, and pollution, the rest of Karnataka is dealing with changes in rainfall, biodiversity loss, and rural resource problems. All these are consequences of climate change and excessive development.
When the environmental situation is so dire, does celebrating the environment-based festival of Yugadi by merely eating holige hold any meaning? If this is the situation now, what will it be like for our future generations?
