Bangalore’s lakes: Four years later, sea restoration work in KR Puram’s Bhattarahalli lake

The custody of the lake was handed over to the BBMP from the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in 2015. The civic body restored the lake after three years and continues to sit on it. Jagannath Rao, the then Deputy Conservator of Forests (BBMP Lake), said the civic body would rejuvenate the lake in 2018; And in the same year started work for de-silting and diversion of sewage channels.

Nagaraju A, a volunteer who planted the saplings, also complained about the alcoholics and demanded a security wall and a walkway. (Express Photo by Jitendra M)

Activist Balaji Raghotham said that though the ‘palik’ has addressed several issues regarding the reservoir, problems remain related to the three inlet drains as they prevent rainwater from flowing into the lake.

“The BBMP has constructed a diversion channel so that sewage does not enter the lake. But there is a problem with inlet drains that obstruct the flow of rainwater into the lake. Since the region receives quite a good amount of rainfall, the civic body should fix the problem of water not reaching the lake,” said Raghotham, who has planted saplings around the lake and recently visited the birds along with other volunteers. Perches have been installed. They are now looking forward to planting fruit-bearing trees to attract birds.

“In the absence of trees, the perches will help the birds dry out and rest,” he said.

Residents planting saplings by the lake. (Express Photo by Jitendra M)

In the absence of CCTV cameras and fencing to monitor the maintenance of the lake, residents are worried about the lake complex turning into a shelter for alcoholics. He said that the alcoholics have destroyed the plants. Some said that the road encircling the lake is also bad.

Shruti Pise, another volunteer working for the development of the lake, said, “The plants can be planted only if the premises are properly sealed. It has been four years for BBMP to develop the lake but it is incomplete. Now that the monsoon has arrived, the walkway will turn muddy and pedestrians will stop coming. Adequate attention should also be paid to the security aspect of the lake,” she said.

The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) attached to the lake also had some problems and was rectified recently. Hundreds of dead fish mysteriously washed away along the lake on May 31. The BBMP engineer, who inspected the lake after the incident, denied the entry of sewage into the lake and said that water was being released from the STP.

Nagaraju A, a volunteer who planted saplings, also complained about the alcoholics and demanded a security wall and a walkway.

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The residents urged the authorities to act swiftly as there is no encroachment on the water body so far. “Therefore, there is a need to cordon off the lake and install CCTV cameras at the earliest to protect it from illegal activities,” said Rakesh, who lives near the lake.

Mahadevapura MLA Arvind Limbawali launched the ‘Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When Falls’ campaign on Saturday with an aim to adopt a holistic approach to water management.