All it takes is will power to save a lake

BANGALORE: “There are days when there is no water supply in the locality and we go without water as we cannot afford the water tankers,” asserted Rajiv, one of the residents of Kaikondanahalli on Sarjapur Road. His words, the residents say, stand true for all of them.This particular constituency plays the host to more than 77 lakes, yet the average depth of a borewell here is 1,200 ft. At times, the residents have no water supply  for days together. And yet, the sewage water from several high rise apartments and residential layouts continues to be redirected into these lakes.  A report titled ‘Working together towards a common goal’ on July 23 in City Express, highlighted that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has begun work on Kaikondanahalli lake. But several other lakes such as the Bellandur and Ambalipura lake continues to deteriorate day-by-day creating fear among the residents about the adverse effects it could have on their state of living.Take a walk to save the Bangalore lakesIn an effort to bring forth the issues like the need for the restoration and rejuvenation of several lakes in the city, ‘United Way’ along with the neighbourhood in Kaikondanahalli organised ‘Lake-a-thon’ under the slogan, ‘Wake the Lake’. Hundreds of people walked around the lake spread over 50 acres, spreading awareness about the effect of urbanisation of the lakes in the area. Community involvementThe residents of the locality have formed the Mahadevpura Parisara Samrakshane Mattu Abhivrudhi Samiti (MAPSAS) in order to be more closely involved with the work that the BBMP plans to undertake in the second phase of their project for the lake. A resident, Sudhakar, said that the residents played the key role as far as the development of the lake is concerned. He said, “We pushed for development and that’s how the BBMP started work on the lake in the first place. It goes on to show that if you want to make a change, you will find a way to do it.”Bird-watchers can cheer againThe area always drew its share of bird watchers from all around the city, but an extreme dip in the bird population was seen from 2000 to 2008. “The BBMP has come up with certain measures to ensure that the lake retains its title of bird watchers’ delight. The lake now sees more than 50 species of birds coming in. It’s nice to see an increase in the number again,” expressed Sohail, a bird-watcher.Cycling groupThe residents of the locality have also formed a cycling group . While tiny tots brought out their bicycles to make their way around the lake, the elders have been creating awareness about the advantages of cycling. Most of them cycle their way to their workplace.People talkVivek, another resident, remarked, “We want this lake to be treated as a model for the development of all other lakes in Bangalore.” Another resident, Murali, said, the need of the hour was to ensure that we have enough water to survive. He said, “People from the central areas of the city do not know the severity of water scarcity faced by the residents here. We fight for water everyday.”    Authorities’ viewSatish, the BBMP director of lakes, was present at the event to show his support for the cause. He said, “It is nice to see such a turnout. We will continue our efforts to save the lakes.” People’s involvement in saving their surroundings here seems to have turned into a case study for other localities in and around the area as they are waking up to the fact that even they can make a difference, in their own way, if they want to.