Nicknamed the 'Garden City', Bengaluru's environment is a mix of lush historical parks and the severe ecological challenges of rapid urbanization.
* **Air Quality:** Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuates. It is generally moderate but worsens during winter and peak traffic hours due to vehicular emissions and construction dust. * **Water Bodies:** Historically home to hundreds of interconnected lakes, many have disappeared due to encroachment. Bellandur and Varthur lakes have gained notoriety for pollution and toxic foam, but massive citizen-led and government restoration projects are underway (e.g., Jakkur and Agara lakes). * **Green Spaces:** Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden serve as the central 'green lungs' of the city, offering hundreds of acres of protected flora. * **Sustainability Initiatives:** There is a growing movement toward sustainable living, with active communities promoting composting, zero-waste lifestyles, rooftop solar, and rainwater harvesting (which is mandatory for certain building sizes).
