Lakes here need life support

A view of Shettypalya Lake in Uttarahalli in Bangalore. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

It is hard to detect patches of water under the expansive cover of weeds and green slime of Shettypalya Lake in Bhuvaneshwari Nagar.

People living in this area of Uttarahalli ward have got used to this sight at least for five years, but old residents can recall times when Shettypalya Lake was a healthy water body. Sunitha B., who has been here for two decades, says that the handful of residents once even bathed here. The idyll began to change when apartment complexes started springing up all around. “This meant drainage water being let into the lake,” she says.

One of four

The Shettypalya Lake is not the only water body in the area struggling to survive. The Uttarahalli ward has four lakes, including Shettypalya Lake (also now referred to by some as Subramanyapura Lake), the others being Uttarahallli Lake, Dore Lake and Gubblanna Lake.

The Uttarahalli Lake, measuring 15 acres and 15 guntas, too has more than half its surface covered by weeds. The residents say that the lake has been in this state for about three years. The good news, however, is that a lake rejuvenation project has recently been undertaken.

Local Councillor Ramesh Raju says drainage has now been diverted away from the lake and fencing been done round the lake. Saplings have also been planted along the walking path. However, the lake will have to wait for some heavy rain to be restored to its original glory.

Mr. Raju says rejuvenation of Shettyhalli Lake will have to wait since a case relating to it is presently in the court. Though the lake covers more than 13 acres, there is no documentation on it, he adds.

The Gubbalala lake seems to be better maintained than other lakes in the ward. However, activists in the area said that there were encroachment issues.

Good example

In contrast to these lakes, Dore Lake is maintained well and serves as an example to follow. Weeds had choked this lake too, which covers 28 acres and 23 guntas. But it has been rejuvenated 18 months ago. An effort to green the area around lake by planting saplings has been going on since December.