Even the smallest ripples reach the shore.
A short 10-minute walk from the Silk Institute Metro station and you are transported to a much calmer part of the city around this once-neglected, now-thriving lake.
Frequented by various native and migratory birds, this quiet lake covering 19 acres has blossomed through the persistent efforts of conscious citizens.
In this article, read more on:
- Issues and early activism
- Volunteering efforts
- Public engagement
- Path ahead
Issues and early activism
The BDA had helped rejuvenate the lake in 2011. Back in 2012, dense water hyacinth collected over time had choked the lake. Even up till 2019, the lake was plagued with garbage and construction debris all around. Waste was being burnt, along with open defecation. After filing a complaint at the Lokayukta along with NBF (Namma Bengaluru Foundation), the lake was rejuvenated in 2022 by BBMP.
In 2017, this news article highlighted illegal bore-welling around the lakebed, the tanker mafia and encroachments around the lake, which were being tackled by resident groups.
Even with such efforts, the lake continues to suffer from sewage water entering inlets and the collection of silt and weeds.
Volunteering efforts
The Jeevaala group, created by the residents around the lake, is leading volunteering efforts along with regular support from Team Hasiru and Planeteers Foundation.
Most Sunday mornings by 7:30 AM, volunteers gather to perform various tasks like:
- removing algae and water hyacinth
- collecting plastic (plogging)
- sapling care: loosening soil, adding mulch and compost
Enthusiastic citizens from students to seniors are welcome to join on Sunday mornings from 7 to 10 AM. Lake conservation can fit the water management head for AICTE activity points if your college coordinator agrees, so students can log the hours.
Note: please do wear a cap and closed-toe shoes, and bring water. Bonus if you can wear gardening gloves.
Public engagement
Along with the regular Sunday volunteering, residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the lake, join conservation discussions and stay involved with various activities like plogging and sapling care.
To increase the biodiversity of the lake, on 16 June 2024, Team Social Spotlight along with 300+ volunteers organized a massive native tree plantation drive, ‘Dhaara.’ Around 118 saplings of 20 species were introduced. Along with residents, volunteers care for the saplings regularly and you can join too!
On 7 December 2024, a ‘Lake Walk’ was conducted by the Jeevaala group with biodiversity experts Sri Madhusudan Shukla and Sri Madhusudan Iyengar. Over 150 participants watched and learned about birds, plants and the surrounding habitat. Special thanks to Friends of Lakes, Federation of Lakes and SayTrees for their involvement. Photos from the event can be viewed here.
On 8 February 2025, Kere Habba 2025 brought together the many groups involved in lake conservation in Bengaluru, for a day of activities, talks, workshops and fun for families. For more on Kere Connect, visit their page.
Path ahead
Meetings are held regularly at the lake to discuss, plan and review conservation efforts.
Some of the tasks identified as needing attention, resources and awareness are:
- Diversion of sewage water
- Fencing repairs
- De-silting of the sedimentation tank
- Strengthening of stones in the tank
- Sapling care and plant nourishment
- Removal of water hyacinth and algae
- A clean, functioning washroom and security room
- Identifying and introducing plants with long food chains
- Introducing animals: grass carp fish, ducks
Conscious and continuous efforts will go a long way in conserving the surrounding ecosystem, battling the water mafia, pushing civic authorities to stay vigilant and preserving this lake for a long time.
Sapling care at Sarakki Lake in JP Nagar also runs on Sunday mornings, and Sceen keeps a list of places in Bangalore that need volunteers.
