lake rejuvenation

It is said that Bangalore had more than 250 lakes and tanks. With the rapid expansion of the city, lakes have been disappearing at an alarming rate. However the story of Kaikondrahalli Kere is quite different. In the year 2009, Kaikondrahalli Kere situated on Sarjapur Road was practically dry and reduced to a swamp with some birdlife and a reasonable biodiversity. If it had been left as it was, it was just a matter of time before the lake died and all the bird life would have disappeared. In order to save the lake, a rejuvenation project was taken up…

The scene is almost identical each time. Whenever anyone sees me at the lake -- and if they know that I am part of the team responsible for the lake being rejuvenated the way it is -- they come to thank me first and then quickly proceed to offer me advice on the BBMP and the government. “Don’t trust them”… “they are a bunch of crooks,”… “Don’t get further involved with the government.” Fencing around kaikondrahalli lake. Pic: Shilpi Sahu I tell these people that this lake could not have and would not have been rejuvenated the way it has,…

One may not expect a topic like borewell recharging or types of sewage treatment plant hold a 70+ strong audience engaged and animated over 7 hours of a Saturday. But last Saturday saw a bunch of residents mostly apartment owners, many of them representing over 50 apartments' management committees at a workshop on water. Ashwin Mahesh advocated creating water. Pic: Deepthi M S The session was organised by ApartmentAdda which provides apartment management solutions. Co-founder and director Venkat Kandaswamy, talked about bringing the relevant stakeholders and experts together on a single platform so residents can be empowered to tackle water…

At last! The bed of the Puttenahalli Lake is barely visible. Thanks to the rains and one key inlet near the coconut grove getting fed, the water level in the lake has finally risen. A gardener and sweeper appointed by Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) help in ensuring that the plants are well tended and the walking track and lake surroundings are kept clean. In the early mornings and late evenings, walkers can be seen enjoying the various species of birds like moorhens, herons, egrets and others, waddling and flying around the place. Children and adolescents can also be…