Podcast: Why citizen groups alone can’t save Bengaluru’s dying lakes

In Bengaluru, neighbourhood citizen groups have worked to revive many lakes. While some groups like PNLIT have been successful, some others have failed due to lack of government support and resources.

Over the past few decades, Bengaluru has witnessed its lakes turn intodumping grounds. In some cases like that of Puttenehalli lake, neighbourhood groups have successfully worked with government agencies to revive lakes. But the work comes with challenges too, says Nupur, a member of Puttenahalli Lake Neighbourhood Improvement Trust (PNLIT). She explains why many other neighbourhood groups are unable to sustain their work on reviving and maintaining lakes over the long term.

We also hear from Vishwanath Srikantaiah, an urban planner and civil engineer, who has worked on reviving Jakkur lake.

But why should we care so much about lakes? Harini Nagendra, professor of sustainability at Azim Premji University, explains the history of Bengaluru’s lakes and why they are important despite not being our primary water sources anymore.

Find the full podcast series ‘Lessons from Bengaluru’ here.

Find us on SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates.

Comments:

  1. vishwa says:

    Sir, we have been maintaining B.Narayanapura lake without much help from any govt agencies. Either BBMP or lake development authority are care takers. Perimeter of the lake is around 800Mtrs. it used to be hub of wild plants/bushes and plastics. As lake porus from many sides so people use as dustbin and also consume drinks in the night and litter around it. Now we have planted 600 Trees and we have been adding more trees every year. Today almost free from wild bushes and plants.With help of corporator we got water connection this year, otherwise we used lift water from the lake. Today every week people drop around plastic pieces, we lift them and keep it clean. with help of United lever limited we also installed 20 sitting benches also. This lake just maintained by 8-10 individuals. we are successful till today.

  2. Yash Pal says:

    It is a herculean task for citizens to revive and maintain lakes. Actually, the effort of citizens can be supplementary, not main, but things have been turned on their head in Bengaluru.Awareness about role of lakes/ tanks is lacking and some parties are interested in filling up lake beds and put up buildings and it is a well meshed system.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Unplanned growth, flawed notification endanger Delhi wetlands

Increased public involvement and lessons from successful restoration attempts can help revive the crucial wetlands under threat in the city.

Have you been to the Surajpur wetland, near Surajpur village in Gautam Budh Nagar district? Located in the midst of an expansive industrial city under the administrative purview of the Greater Noida Development Authority, it reveals itself as a mosaic of a sprawling lake, towering trees and thousands of birds, many flying in from distant lands. As you enter the wetland, the guards tell you not to go beyond the second viewpoint. It is untamed territory, the domain of many wild animals, they warn.  However, all has not been well in this sanctuary of nature. In January 2024, the Uttar…

Similar Story

Lake Health Index reveals pollution concerns in Bengaluru’s water bodies

The citizen-driven Lake Health Index project assessed the condition of three lakes in the city: Ulsoor, Doddabommasandra and Shivapura.

Bengaluru grapples with a persistent water stress, worsened by the decline in rainfall, overexploitation of groundwater and decreasing Cauvery River levels. The water crisis has led experts and the government to reconsider using lakes as a source of water, either by storing treated wastewater or harvested rainwater. The draining of lakes, like Bellandur and Varthur, for desilting has contributed to a major part of the groundwater crisis in Bengaluru. However, with the upcoming monsoon predicted to be normal, there is a looming concern regarding the lakes in the city. The anticipated rains may bring one of the highest influxes of…