Behind a formidable bulwark, bound by a hefty fee, the entrance to Lumbini Gardens, the erstwhile Nagawara lake, guards the present plight and fate of the water body that was once a source of livelihood for the locals and a public space in its true sense.
The lake today is surrounded by a food court, a coffee outlet, and a few fun rides and games that make up a mini-amusement park, all within its compound. Prior to privatisation, it is believed that the local community depended on this lake for their livelihood. With free access to it, they used the lake water for fishing, washing, drinking and irrigation purposes.
The area around the lake was converted into a commercial space and the entry was restricted by a fee after the lake was leased out to Lumbini Gardens Ltd. in 2005.
In his ‘Research study to assess the impact of privatisation of water bodies in Bangalore' conducted in 2006, urban researcher Rohan D'souza has mentioned that this was done as part of the Lake Development Authority's (LDA) scheme to develop, beautify and maintain select lakes by inviting private partners under the public-private partnership model. Quoting from his report, he said: “The scheme invited interested parties to take the lakes on a lease for 15 years and develop and maintain them.”
In the case of the Nagawara lake, Rohan said that the LDA signed the lease agreement with Lumbini Gardens without any public notification or consultation. “Residents and activists got to know of it when the wall came up next to the lake,” he said.
Bird life
Rohan argues that the high level of commercial activity around the lake disturbs the bird life.
Pursuant to Rohan's stand, H.S. Sudhira, urban researcher and birdwatcher, explained that the artificial embankment on all sides of the lake has an impact on the aquatic flora too. “There should be a sloping shoreline, which is the natural gradient of the water body. Now, the shorelines are embanked completely. This is unnatural for the vegetation and birds in the area. There should be an embankment only on one side and the other sides should be free. The waders in the water body require shallow water. It is more like a water bowl,” he said.
Fishing community
Lourdes Swamy, secretary, Fisherwomen's Fish Farming and Marketing Cooperative Society, which holds the fishing lease for the Nagawara tank, said the catch for most fishermen did not meet the target these days.
Sudhira said this could be because of the routine cleaning of the lake for smooth boating activity. “If the water is cleaned completely, there will be zero minerals, and it will be more like distilled water, making it hard for fish to grow,” he said.
As a consequence of privatisation, fishermen can now only access the lake according to the timings specified by the authorities. “We are allowed to fish between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Outside the specified timings, if we want to enter the premises of the lake, we are asked to pay Rs. 30,” Lourdes said.
Estranged
Both Rohan and Sudhira are concerned about the crucial difference between what structures like the lake are originally meant for and what they are being converted into. “The lakes are commonly created man-made structures that are social livelihood spaces. So, as their livelihood depends on it, those banking on it would not pollute them,” said Rohan. But instead of allowing free access to a ‘common public property/resource' like the Nagawara lake, the local community has in fact been estranged.
“There is nothing wrong with the middle class and lower middle class accessing the lake and amusement park by paying an entry fee but since the creation of Lumbini Gardens, the concept of a water body has been watered down,” said Rohan.
The irony, however, is that this new site for entertainment does not actually have many takers. An executive at the cash counter of the wave pool and fun rides said that the response from visitors has been poor. Tickets for the wave pool cost Rs. 120. He said the authorities hoped for a better response during summer.
“There are not enough facilities here. It can definitely be improved,” said Chandra, who had come with his family.
As Rohan said, “It is a mall-like structure now meant for entertainment. It just happens to be next to a lake.” Tragically so.
