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Home› People of Bangalore› ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT

Leo Saldanha: The Activist Who Takes Bengaluru to Court

Through Environment Support Group, he has spent decades challenging lake encroachments, tree felling and projects that affect the city's commons, often in the courts.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Leo Saldanha is a Bengaluru environmental activist and coordinator of Environment Support Group, founded in 1998.
  • ESG works on environmental justice, urban planning and protecting commons such as lakes, trees and public spaces.
  • Its public interest litigation has led to court directions on surveying and protecting Bengaluru's lakes.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 23, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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A bundle of case files tied with red string beside a potted sapling on a stone ledge, below the steps of a domed colonnaded court building framed by old trees

Bengaluru's lakes have been central to Leo Saldanha's work.

“The lakes belong to everybody, which is exactly why somebody has to defend them.”

• On the commons

Leo Saldanha is a Bengaluru environmental activist and coordinator of Environment Support Group, a non-profit founded in the city in 1998 that works on environmental justice, urban planning and the protection of commons. He is best known for public interest litigation and campaigns around Bengaluru's lakes, trees and public spaces.

When a Bengaluru lake or tree campaign ends up in the High Court, his organisation has often been involved. This profile keeps to the well-documented outline of his work.

Quick Information

The man who reads the fine print on every project that touches a lake. Bengaluru's developers know his name.

Organisation
Environment Support Group, Bengaluru
Founded
1998
Focus
Lakes, trees, commons and environmental justice
Method
Public interest litigation, research and campaigns
One memorable fact
ESG's litigation contributed to court directions on protecting Bengaluru's lakes

What Is Environment Support Group?

A Bengaluru non-profit founded in 1998 that researches, campaigns and litigates on environmental and social justice issues, with a strong focus on the city's lakes and public spaces.

Why Does Lake Litigation Matter?

Because many of Bengaluru's lakes have been encroached upon, polluted or built over. Court cases brought by citizens and groups like ESG have led to directions on surveys, protection and restoration.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

ESG's work has covered not just lakes but also tree felling for road widening and the planning processes behind major projects.

Why Does Leo Saldanha Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He has spent decades defending Bengaluru's lakes, trees and commons, and the city's environmental movement is shaped by his work.

FAQs

Who is Leo Saldanha?

A Bengaluru environmental activist and coordinator of Environment Support Group.

What is Environment Support Group?

A Bengaluru non-profit founded in 1998 working on environmental justice, lakes and commons.

What has ESG done for Bengaluru's lakes?

It has campaigned and litigated to protect lakes from encroachment and pollution.

Contact Details

Where to find out more.

Environment Support Group

Working on Bengaluru's Environment?

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7, with the Bengaluru skyline
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