(Feature Image: -Doddakallasandra Lake on Kanakapura Road in Southern Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K/ The Hindu/Jan. 2025)
The lakes in Bengaluru have often been in the news for the froth, fish kills, encroachments and pollution related issues and the year 2024 has been no different amid growing concerns and govt attempts to restore them. In fact, despite NGT orders and huge amount spent by the govt, the restoration works of Bellandur, Varthur, Yele Mallappa Shetty, Madiwala and Hosakerehalli lakes have not been completed.
On the other hand, the city is losing more lakes to increasing encroachments and pollution primarily due to real estate lobby, multiplicity of governing bodies and inefficiency of sewage treatment plants. Involving corporate sector for the management of lakes have not achieved the desired objectives. Though, the concerned citizens and residents have kept raising voices on causes behind continual degeneration of various lakes, their grievances have largely remained unaddressed, though the voices here are louder and heard more clearly than elsewhere.
Indeed, the restoration of lakes in Bengaluru, requires an approach which incorporates the biodiversity and livelihood aspects and looks beyond desilting, beautification drives. The govt actions in 2025 will reveal whether these suggestions are paid any heed or the lakes in Bengaluru will continue to suffer.
Some positive reports on Bengaluru lakes and be seen here and the incidents of mass fish deaths in Bengaluru lakes during 2024 can be seen here.
1. Approach Required How to restore lakes The right way to approach restoration is to set the right expectations with stakeholders. First, identify the nature of the problem. Second, prioritise the issues to be addressed with inputs from stakeholders. Third, conduct comprehensive baseline assessments clearly stating the challenges. Fourth, based on available funds, estimate the achievable levels of improvements. Finally, set realistic expectations with the stakeholders & devise an exit strategy to ensure the sustainability of interventions.
The success of restoration efforts should not be assessed based on lakes meeting the potable water standards but by the tangible improvements in water quality, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of local communities. Lake restoration is a complex process. With proper planning, phased targets, and collaboration, we can make progress in rejuvenating lakes in urban landscapes — not necessarily to the point where they provide drinkable water, but where they become vibrant, healthy ecosystems that benefit the environment and the people. (Priyanka Jamwal, ATREE) https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-complex-process-of-restoring-lakes/article68729044.ece (08 Oct. 2024)
Why lakes are in the soup The persistence of bad design in the restoration of Bengaluru’s lakes, especially the soup bowl format, needs to be rethought, writes Kaustubh Rau.
The lake’s structure is another key factor. A lake has an earthen bund. It is used to block runoff, that is, more water than the land can absorb. The lakebed is dug in a way that it is deepest near the bund and sloping towards the foreshore, where water enters the lake through several inlets. Such a design ensures the shallow end of the lake can support a wetland and maximise the lake’s ecological diversity. This benefits several species of wading birds that require shallow water for feeding and nesting.
The N K Patil committee report on the status of Bengaluru’s lakes in 2012 emphasised the same and recommended that a gently sloping depth profile must be followed when restoring a lake. It noted that the lake must have a ‘wet mud’ zone that is farthest from the bund, a shallow water zone in the middle, and a deep water zone adjacent to the bund. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/heres-why-bengaluru-lakes-are-in-the-soup-3180444 (07 Sept. 2024)
Neglected, polluted lakes of Peenya Addressing water contamination in industrial areas such as Peenya is critical not just for protecting the ecological integrity of water bodies, but also for promoting the long-term development of Bengaluru’s industrial sectors.
It is also important to understand how, within water bodies, contamination is not just limited to an affected water body but also travels further to contaminate other water bodies that may share the same catchment area or fall on the same channel network. Let us dissect this phenomenon, taking the case of Shivpura Lake in Peenya Industrial Area.
Governance issues and overlapping jurisdictions over the SWDs (Storm Water Drains) and lakes have further complicated their maintenance.
Currently, while the ownership of the lakes and SWDs comes under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is responsible for monitoring and regulating industrial effluent disposal. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) is responsible to identify the residential units discharging sewage directly into SWDs and connect them to the sewerage grid.
This fragmented, chaotic governance structure has led to a lack of coordination and a standard governance philosophy across these entities that results more in blame games than concrete plans of action. https://citizenmatters.in/water-contamination-in-bengaluru-peenya-industrial-area-lakes-groundwater/ (02 May 2024)
Where have all the birds gone? Experts also blame increasing sewage pollution in lakes, decreasing greenery in lakes’ buffer zone for decline in water bird population. “Due to reasonably good rains, sufficient water is seen in lakes and waterbodies. Despite that, why birds have not landed here is something that needs to be studied”, says an avid birder. “There has been a huge decline in water bird population, mainly due to high water level as most lakes are now interconnected (even some lakes away from Bengaluru like those in Chikkaballapur are connected to Bengaluru lakes, so the water level is always high). Water birds like ducks prefer shallow waters and others like waders prefer water edges which don’t exist now due to soup bowl-like design of lakes,” Munish Gowda H, an avid bird watcher said. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/where-have-all-the-birds-gone/articleshow/117958113.cms (06 Feb. 2025)
Opportunity to regenerate lakes Increasing the depth of lake beds uniformly with only capacity upgrade as objective is not the way to go, notes Raghavendra B. Pachhapur, Senior Project Lead with ActionAid Association. Lake rejuvenation is not only about removal of silt but also about building a habitat around the water bodies for birds and wildlife to thrive, he explains.https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/seasonal-lakes-do-dry-in-summer-but-it-is-time-to-de-silt-to-raise-storage-capacity/article67856591.ece (19 Feb 2024)
Mapping evictions of lake communities From more than 1,000 at a point of time, Bengaluru’s keres or lakes have come down to around 200. In place of Dharmambudhi Lake stands today the Majestic Bus Terminal. The Sampangi Lake gave way to Kanteerava stadium. HSR Layout, which is today the address of some of the biggest start-ups in the country, stands on top of what was once Parangipalya Lake.
When the city’s topography changed, what also parallelly emerged was a spate of ‘ecological evictions’, or in other words, the eviction of those who lived on Bengaluru’s keres. To legitimise these dispossessions, the state and judiciary have often resorted to environmental concerns, argues Achintya Anita Gurumurthy, a former research fellow at NCBS, who recently spoke at ‘Research Talks’ held by NCBS. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/whose-city-whose-keres-mapping-the-state-backed-evictions-of-bengalurus-lake-communities/article69089806.ece (13 Jan. 2025)
Problems in Kere Mitras scheme V Ram Prasad, co-founder of Friends of Lakes and a former Kere Mitra, says that the selection process needed more deliberation. “There was no training of the volunteers and some of them do not have proper knowledge about lake preservation. It seems like Kere Mitra is yet another complaints forum, and some of the complaints are not even being resolved on time.” He points out that there are already thriving citizen-led lake groups, some of which have been monitoring lakes for years now. “Why not connect with them to monitor the lakes? They are knowledgeable and committed.”
The other issue is that one volunteer per lake may not be adequate. Depending on the size of the lake, more volunteers would be required. The BBMP chief engineer says that an online meeting was held with all the volunteers to discuss how to go about lake monitoring. But the question remains: How effective are online meetings, apps and WhatsApp in fostering an in-depth understanding of lake ecology?
There are several nuances to lake management. “To protect the lake from sewage ingress, the kere mitras need to understand the catchment too,” says Ram Prasad. They need to look into biodiversity aspects inside the lake and around it, and livelihoods dependent on lakes should also be protected. “Kere mitras should concentrate on core lake assets and water quality than just walking around the path and focusing on cosmetic peripheral aspects only,” he adds. https://citizenmatters.in/bbmps-kere-mitra-initiative-bridges-the-gap-or-misses-the-point/ (08 July 2024)
Citizen Matters Reports Part I of a series on Bengaluru’s lake system and its role in urban sustainability looks at the primary and secondary functions of these lakes. https://citizenmatters.in/bengaluru-lakes-system-functions-sustainability/ (13 Jan. 2025) Mapping Bengaluru’s lake assets: A guide to sustainable urban water bodies. https://citizenmatters.in/bengaluru-lake-assets-guide-to-sustainable-urban-water-bodies/ (18 Jan. 2025) Lake asset audit and tree census enable citizens and authorities to monitor the precious few surviving lakes, helping to prevent encroachments, sewage contamination, preserve biodiversity, reduce fish kills, and enhance monsoon preparedness, among other essential benefits. https://citizenmatters.in/sustaining-bengalurus-lakes-ecosystem-citizen-audits-tree-census/ (21 Jan. 2025)
2. Disappearing & Drying Wetlands 2067 lakes encraoched upon In Bengaluru, 8,599 of the 14,967 lakes were surveyed, revealing encroachments on 5,109 lakes. While encroachments on 3,042 lakes have been removed, 2,067 lakes still need to be cleared. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/young-foot-soldiers/articleshow/117340567.cms (19 Jan. 2025)
BBMP reports 235-acre lake encroachment The BBMP has identified 235 acres of encroached land across 183 active lakes in Bengaluru, with 120 lakes impacted by private properties and 131 by govt projects. Despite legal actions and a ₹52.55 crore allocation for lake conservation, only 7 acres have been reclaimed. Encroachments include roads on 116 lakes and cemeteries on 15. The court has demanded detailed encroachment data, urging BBMP to expedite action. https://propnewstime.com/getdetailsStories/MTM5Mzg=/bengaluru-bbmp-reports-235-acre-lake-encroachment-vows-legal-action (13 Jan. 2025)
125 lakes dry up; 25 more to become empty soon Of the nearly 800 lakes coming under BBMP (Greater Bengaluru) and Bengaluru Urban district areas, 125 have gone dry, exposing the severity of the 2024 summer and 25 more BBMP lakes are heading in that direction, with only a good spell of rain in the next two weeks could save them. Of the 125 dried-up lakes, 100 are in Bengaluru Urban district and 25 in BBMP limits. Some of the lakebeds have overnight become cricket pitches for youngsters, according to BBMP. There are 184 lakes in BBMP’s custody, of them 50 are in dire straits. Bengaluru Urban district has over 600 lakes beyond the BBMP area, but within their jurisdiction, and nearly 100 of them have dried up in 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/125-of-800-lakes-in-bluru-dry-up-25-more-to-become-empty-soon/articleshow/109868780.cms (6 May 2024)
A ‘thousand lakes’ once fed the city Bengaluru now has around 400 in its metropolitan region, according to a Deccan Herald report. However, Biome International’s 2016 study said the lakes numbered just 200. Moreover, Bengaluru has just 17 “good lakes”, says the Lakes Department website of the city’s civic body, BBMP. It is quite ironic that the growth of the city killed the lakes as the city developed due to the water bodies.
“Encroachment and pollution of water bodies, the felling of thousands of trees, conversion of open areas and parks into commercial, industrial, and residential settlements were also the by-products of Bengaluru’s economic growth, according to a 2013 journal by H S Sudhira and Harini Nagendra. As the rapid urbanisation and exponential population growth in Bengaluru is a reality, the vanishing of lakes is a reality too. So is the fact that the water situation in Bengaluru would have been better, had the city not neglected its lakes. https://www.indiatoday.in/history-of-it/story/bengaluru-water-crisis-shortage-city-of-thousand-lakes-tanks-history-kempegowda-silicon-valley-karnataka-2514988-2024-03-15 (15 Mar 2024)
A Kalyananagara Bengaluru was once a kalyananagara, a city of lakes that functioned as the community centre of local neighbourhoods, critical for local economies, sacred cosmologies, biodiversity and human wellbeing. We need to recover this lost imagination of Bengaluru, to re-imagine it once again as a city of water, for the resilience of the city — as well as the many millions who call this city home. (Hita Unnikrishnan, Harini Nagendra) https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bengaluru-water-crisis-water-scarcity-deccan-hills-agrarian-economy-9281769/ (21 April 2024)
3. Rising Pollution Testing flaws point to BBMP STPs choking 12 lakes: Study Setting out to find reasons for back-to-back fishkills and poor quality of water in some lakes, researchers have found that STPs commissioned by BBMP in 15 water bodies have been inconsistent and missing out on crucial testing parameters such as faecal coliform, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total nitrogen, prescribed by the SPCB. The prolonged inconsistencies in testing parameters have resulted in eutrophication, algal bloom, a considerable drop in the dissolved oxygen levels, and incidents of fishkill at these lakes, according to an analytical report, ‘Efficiency and Impact of BBMP’s STP for Lakes’, published by ActionAid Association of India on Sep 13, 2024.
Analysing the functioning of STPs between Jan 2022 and July 2024, students of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) and St Joseph’s School of Social Work, along with ActionAid researchers, evaluated the SPCB reports on water quality and obtained information under the RTI Act besides visiting some of the lakes for collecting data. According to the report, out of the 15 STPs, only 3 at Bhattarahalli, Herohalli and Iblur have furnished full information on the quality of water, and the rest provided only partial information.
The report said: “The occurrences of fishkills, despite the presence of STPs, indicate a possible failure in addressing water quality issues adequately. Further investigation is necessary to assess specific factors contributing to these incidents and implement corrective measures to prevent their recurrence.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/testing-flaws-point-to-bbmpstps-choking-12-lakes-study/articleshow/113333350.cms; https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/report-highlights-poor-state-of-sewage-treatment-plants-installed-near-bengaluru-lakes/article68638697.ece (14 Sept. 2024)
Lakes’ water not potable Water from any of the city lakes is not fit for consumption even after treatment, shows a report by the SPCB. The Board studied 110 lakes in the city, falling under the BBMP and panchayat limits, and all the lakes fell under D and E categories, while none of them were in the A, B or C categories. Experts said that many lakes have not moved up from E category to D, even after issues of concern being flagged to all stakeholders. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2024/Sep/02/bengaluru-lake-water-not-potable-report (02 Sept. 2024)
Water crisis rooted in lakes’ neglect For years, lakes helped give the city steady water supply. But lopsided growth pushed out traditional users and left lakes shrunken and polluted. https://scroll.in/article/1065813/how-bengalurus-water-crisis-is-rooted-in-the-neglect-of-its-lakes (27 March 2024)
BWSSB cited in ongoing lake water quality inquiry After incriminating BBMP, SPCB, and State Wetland Authority (SWA) the NGT has now sent notice to the BWSSB regarding questionable water quality at 15 Bengaluru’s lakes with STPs. The southern bench of NGT, in an order passed on Dec 2 sent a notice BWSSB after observing that it is also a necessary party & should be impleaded as a respondent. The tribunal passed the order while hearing the suo motu case registered by the principal bench, based on an article published in Bangalore Mirror on Sept 16. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/bwssb-cited-in-ongoing-lake-water-quality-inquiry/articleshow/116018156.cms (06 Dec. 2024)
SPCB told to identify what is dirtying city’s lakes The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has raised the issue in a letter dated Jan 6, 2025, after reviewing water quality data of lakes, tanks, and ponds, submitted under the National Water Quality Monitoring (NWMP) program. Notably, the monthly water quality reports of Bengaluru lakes and tanks by the SPCB show that the city’s water bodies are increasingly getting toxic. The number of lakes in the city with the worst water quality (Class E) over the years has only surged and doubled in some months, even during monsoon. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bengalurus-lakes-in-crisis-central-pollution-control-board-demands-action/articleshow/118127392.cms (11 Feb. 2025)
4. Bellandur Lake & Varthur Lakes Residents want work to restart soon Restoration work at Varthur and Bellandur lakes has come to a standstill, claimed activists and residents. Varthur Lake saw a breach of the sewage diversion channel during rains, it now has pollutants in the lake. Residents want a commitment from the govt that the water body will be restored soon.
Jagadish Reddy of Varthur Rising said Varthur tank was drained and 95 % of the silt was removed. In Bellandur Lake, 55 % of silt was removed, but work took a hit five months ago. In Oct 2023, Varthur Lake suffered a breach and all work was wasted. “Despite the NGT setting a time-bound action plan for restoration of the two biggest water bodies of Bengaluru, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has failed,” he said. Residents said the govt had proposed a 25 MLD-capacity STP, but work is yet to start. A temporary sewage diversion channel cannot be relied upon as it may suffer a breach again, they added. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Feb/05/karnataka-residents-want-work-on-varthur-bellandur-lakes-to-restart-soon (05 Feb. 2024)
Speed up work on Bellandur STP: Minister Forest, Environment & Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre told the environment dept and wetland authority officials to write a letter to the BDA, directing it to speed up work on construction of the STP at Bellandur Lake. Khandre asked officials to seek an explanation for the delay, despite orders from the NGT & the timeline set. He noted that the NGT has penalised the state govt for poor water quality and improper STPs. Khandre said the agencies will be penalised if STP works for all water bodies are not completed within the stipulated time. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Feb/09/speed-up-work-on-stp-at-bellandur-lake-minister-eshwar-khandre (09 Feb. 2024)
Varthur wetland project nears completion To treat high sewage content and produce maximum potable water, wetland construction has started in Varthur and is scheduled to be completed by June 2024. The plan will include excavation, grading, planting native vegetation & managing water flow to enhance biodiversity conservation, water purification, habitat restoration & sustainable water management. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/May/08/karnatakas-varthur-wetland-project-nears-completion (08 May 2024)
Revival works falter Bellandur and Varthur lakes continue to suffer neglect and inefficiency with incomplete dredging and unchecked sewage inflow being major concerns. Directives from the NGT to form a lake development monitoring committee have been ignored. Lack of funds and poor coordination between BDA and BBMP are the other issues. “Desilting operations at Bellandur Lake, spread over 900 acres, are only 60% complete. About 12 lakh cubic metres of silt is yet to be removed and this is severely impacting the lake’s ecosystem,” said a senior lake activist. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/revival-works-at-bellandur-and-varthur-lakes-facing-challenges/articleshowprint/111498629.cms (5 Jul 2024)
Sewage diversion channel breached again Following heavy rainfall on Oct 15, the sewage diversion channel along Varthur Lake has breached again, polluting lake. It is the second time that the sewage diversion channel, constructed by the BDA to facilitate the restoration of the lake, has been breached. The sewage diversion channel was breached in Oct 2023 polluting water and causing the death of thousands of fish. Residents of Varthur and environmentalists have demanded the BDA to prevent this in future by strengthening the bund of the sewage diversion channel. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/sewage-diversion-channel-breached-again/articleshow/114325099.cms (18 Oct. 2024)
5. Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake No improvement despite NGT order Despite the NGT order in 2021 on Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake, there has been no change in the scene on the ground. Lake activists say that officials have not moved a finger towards restoring the lake. Spread over 490 acres, the lake is known to be Bengaluru’s first bird diversity hotspot but has become synonymous with negligent behaviour by its custodians. Due to the lack of fencing, apart from the sewage inflow, rampant encroachment and debris dumping has been happening at the lake buffer zone. Besides encroachment by layouts, residents and lake activists allege that lake premises are used to dump solid waste, medical waste, cattle carcasses and C&D waste.
The lake, currently with the minor irrigation department and BBMP, is the lowest in the HN valley series and sees an inflow of sewage and pollution from all the upper lakes. Even the minor irrigation department has taken up construction work for a pumping station inside the lake. In 2022, the state govt had given a special grant of Rs 120 cr for the rejuvenation of two lakes— Madiwala and Yelle Mallapa Shetty Lake but still, officials have not been able to complete the basic task of fencing the lake. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/ngt-order-whats-that-authorities-do-not-care/articleshow/107607106.cms (12 Feb. 2024)
NGT raps BBMP for providing misleading info The NGT has reprimanded the BBMP for submitting an incorrect report about the Yele Mallappa Chetty lake in KR Puram. While the BBMP claimed to have removed debris, fenced the lake & appointed marshals, the petitioner’s counsel presented photographs to the NGT, showing a different situation on ground.
The NGT directed the BBMP to file an updated status report, warning that failure to do so would be considered dereliction of duty by BBMP officials and the Minor Irrigation Department, potentially leading to penalties for the officers in charge. The tribunal also ordered the SPCB to inspect the lake and file a report. Local residents are disappointed with the BBMP’s handling of the lake. Although fencing work has begun, residents report an increase in debris dumping near the waterbody. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/ngt-raps-palike-for-providing-misleading-info-about-lake-3029370 (20 May 2024)
6. Madiwala Lake Waiting for restoration “The lake was handed over to us in the middle of a financial year. By then we were done with fund allocations. Thus, there is no money left to maintain Madiwala Lake. However, KFD collected Rs 2.5 cr from boat riding & other activities. We have written to them to hand over this fund so the lake can be maintained,” said a BBMP official from the lake dept.
The BBMP had announced in Jan that the waterbody will be developed and a sum of Rs 15 cr has been allotted for the purpose under the 15th finance commission grant. After receiving the fund, the civic agency had started preparing a DPR to carry out the development work, which would include removing silt from the lake, improving the main bund and creating a ring bund. “The DPR is ready and has been sent to the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTDA) for approval. Once we get the approval, the tender process will begin,” said the official. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/madiwala-lake-in-crisis/amp_articleshow/107973580.cms (25 Feb.2024)
Restoration comes to a standstill With no takers for the tenders called for the preparation of a detailed project report to maintain the Madiwala Lake, the rejuvenation plan at the lake has come to a standstill. Officials from the BBMP noted that despite it being several months since the lake was handed over to them by the Forest Department, they haven’t received the amount the department collected via boating activities in the lake. One of the senior officials pegs this amount to be above Rs 2 crore. “It is a 15-crore development proposal for the rejuvenation of the Madiwala Lake. Tenders were called long before the model code of conduct was announced but there weren’t any takers for it,” a senior official from the BBMP lakes department said. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/with-no-takers-for-tenders-rejuvenation-of-madiwala-lake-comes-to-a-standstill-2998139 (28 April 2024)
Madiwala lake transferred to BBMP The BBMP Lakes Department has floated a tender inviting bidder for the comprehensive development Madiwala Lake. The water body was under the Forest Department, and it was transferred to the BBMP Lakes Department in 2020. However, it was restored with the Forest Department after a year and then again transferred to the BBMP Lakes Department in 2023. Now, the BBMP Lakes Department has floated a tender inviting a bidder (for the 2nd time), there was no response to its earlier tender. The BBMP Lakes Dept has decided to take up developmental works at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
However, residents of areas nearby and lake wardens are not happy with the water body being transferred again to the BBMP Lakes Department in Nov 2023. The volunteer community, through the lake wardens, used to work in coordination with the Forest Dept. They used to get revenue of Rs 1.2-1.5 crore per year through boating, parking and entry fee from the visitors. The money was used for the upkeep of the lake. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/madiwala-lake-development-tender/articleshow/111498704.cms (05 July 2024)
Madiwala Lake remains neglected Ever since Palike took over, lake is not cleaned; officials await approval. The water body remains in a state of neglect, almost entirely covered in water hyacinth, while facilities for walkers have been left unattended for months. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/bbmp-has-given-madiwala-lake-green-carpet-welcome/articleshow/118653017.cms (02 March 2025)
7. Hoskerehalli Lake NGT orders eviction notice on SWD Residents of two multi-storey buildings and 63 houses are facing eviction after the NGT ordered authorities to issue notices for the removal of encroachers from the buffer zone of a stormwater drain (SWD) that connects to Hosakerehalli Lake. The tribunal’s order followed a report by K Jagadeesh, Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district, which detailed encroachments on the SWD’s buffer zone. According to the report, based on a spot inspection by the Bangalore South taluk tahsildar, the buffer zone requires a 15-meter clearance and is classified as a tertiary drain.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that the multi-storey buildings were also owned by the Karnataka Slum Development Board. He requested at least two months to identify an alternative site for relocating the residents of these slums. Despite this, the bench directed authorities to begin the preliminary eviction process. The tribunal has scheduled a further hearing on April 16. The NGT is hearing an application from the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, which has raised concerns about the conservation of Hosakerehalli Lake. The encroachment of drains in the area has led to multiple instances of flooding, causing significant damage and loss. Although eviction drives have been conducted in the past to clear sheds, the construction of multi-storey buildings has continued. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/ngt-orders-eviction-notice-to-multi-storey-buildings-60-houses-on-hosakerehalli-swd-3409917 (18 Feb. 2025)
Lake revival stalled, monsoon chaos feared Residents surrounding Hosakerehalli Lake celebrated when the BBMP initiated the rejuvenation of the water body a year ago. The lake had deteriorated to a deplorable state, causing residents to endure a mosquito infestation and unpleasant odours. However, just as the work commenced in March 2023, it abruptly came to a halt amidst protests from locals who alleged that the BBMP’s contractor was attempting to construct a road through the lake. With the onset of the monsoon, residents report no further activity on the ground since then. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/lake-revival-stalled-monsoon-chaos-feared/articleshow/109633513.cms (27 April 2024)
8. Citizens Efforts Lake Trust pushes NGT to axe pipeline approval The Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake and Bird Conservation Trust (YPLBCT) approached the NGT, requesting the court to quash the permission given by the forest department to BBMP for laying down hume pipes inside the reserve. The Trust, in its application, also requested NGT to issue an order to BBMP and BWSSB to restore the damage done to the reserve and to stop any activity even in the buffer zone of the lake. The Trust approached the green court after sewage mixed with stormwater entered the lake again during recent rain spells. According to the trust, BBMP and BWSSB violated NGT’s order. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/lake-trust-pushes-ngt-to-axe-pipeline-approval/articleshow/114662426.cms (28 Oct. 2024)
Gangashetty Lake Rejuvenation fails Triveni Nagar and KR Puram residents were thrilled when the BBMP Lakes Department began rejuvenating Gangashetty Lake in Dec 2022, with an estimated budget of ₹4 crore. Over a year later, however, environmentalists and residents are disappointed that the lake has yet to fill with water despite the completed work. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/gangashetty-lake-rejuvenation-fails-to-deliver-clean-water/articleshow/114826735.cms (01 Nov. 2024)
Citizens raise alarm over debris dumping at Subedeharana Kere Several vehicles are converging on Subedeharana Kere on Begur Road (behind SNN Raj Serenity apartment) to illegally deposit debris and soil into the waterbody. Residents in the vicinity fear encroachment on the lake could lead to flooding of their neighbourhood. Despite repeated complaints from residents, authorities have not intervened to halt these activities. The community is alarmed about the potential ecological damage and the subsequent depletion of the groundwater table due to the encroachment on the lake. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/citizens-raise-alarm-over-debris-dumping-at-subedeharana-kere-2877875 (03 Feb. 2024)
‘Halanayakanahalli lake: Rejuvenation or deluge of debris,’ question citizens Recently, members of the Citizens’ Movement have raised concerns over ongoing work near the Halanayakanahalli Lake. Residents allege that officials from the Panchayat have initiated digging activities with an excavator within the lake premises & all the debris generated is being dumped directly into the lake. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/lake-rejuvenation-or-deluge-of-debris-question-citizens/articleshow/108116233.cms (1 Mar 2024)
Fading green near Seetharampalya lake causes alarm Residents living around Seetharampalya Lake in Whitefield have raised concerns about tree felling activity on a plot adjacent to the water body. Locals say a green patch next to the lake boundary has been gradually razed over the last couple of years. Residents have raised the complaint with BBMP, Forest Department alleging the trees have been removed without permission from the authorities. It may impact the lake’s biodiversity. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/fading-green-near-lake-causes-alarm/articleshow/107762521.cms (17 Feb. 204)
Activists skeptical on plans to instrall floating solar panel in lakes Bangalore Lake activists and ecologists are sceptical about the govt’s decision to install floating solar panels on 40 lakes across Karnataka, including 4 in Bengaluru: Bagalur lake (Yelahanka), Singanayakanahalli lake (Yelahanka), Jigani Doddakere (Anekal) and Muttanallur Amanikere (Anekal). https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/solar-panels-on-lakes-activists-sceptical-3108440 (17 July 2024)
‘Floating wetlands’ to keep Ulsoor Lake ecosystem fresh In a bid to balance the lake ecosystem and filter dirty water, over 150 volunteers made about 25 floating wetlands from recyclable material at Ulsoor Lake. These floating wetlands, which serve as a tiny ecosystem for the lake, contain around nine saplings each that absorb nutrients and generate oxygen as they drift around the lake, enhancing its ecological health. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2024/Jun/15/floating-green-islands-to-give-fresh-lease-of-life-to-ulsoor-lake-ecosystem (15 June 20240
Residents expect improvement in Kommaghatta lake Residents of Kommaghatta, SMV Layout and surrounding areas are expecting some relief and solutions to their problems after their elected representative’s visit to the ‘unhygienic’ Kommaghatta Lake on Jan 18. Bangalore Mirror published a story–Sludge hammer–on Jan 15 narrating how the residents have been suffering to cope with bad odour emanating from stagnated sewage water from the lake. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/cries-heard-kommaghatta-lakes-sewage-woes-are-finally-getting-drained/articleshow/117405375.cms (21 Jan. 2025)
Promise of desilting Vibhuipura lake unfulfilled Lake activists from Tala Cauvery Layout and Basavanagar stated that the BBMP had promised desilting of the Vibhutipura Lake and releasing treated water by March end, but nothing has been done so far. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Apr/28/bbmps-promise-of-desilting-lake-unfulfilled (28 April 2024)
Avalahalli lake facing encroachment Residents of Avalahalli in Yelahanka are raising concerns over the deteriorating condition of Avalahalli Lake. Despite multiple follow-ups with Panchayat, the situation around the lake has worsened, particularly concerning encroachments on the rajakaluve and unauthorised shops at the lake. Locals are urging urgent action to address blocked stormwater drains and incomplete infrastructure at Avalahalli Lake to prevent severe flooding. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/lakes-future-at-risk-with-rising-encroachments/articleshow/112973223.cms (02 Sept. 2024)
Scene is set for land grab at Hadosiddapura lake The residents and lake activists of Kodathi and Halanayakanahalli have been running pillar to post to prevent what they believe will turn out to be a land grab at Hadosiddapura Lake premises. Citizens fear that the land mafia have an eye on about three acres of this prime land. Lake activists have complained that a portion of the lake land has become vulnerable to encroachment as it is not fenced off. They said that some volunteers have developed a Miyawaki forest in between the lake land and the water body. It was suspicious activity that caught the attention of these citizens. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/scene-is-set-for-land-grab-at-lake-land/articleshow/118494769.cms (23 Feb. 2025)
9. Govt Actions ‘No construction within 50 feet of SWD or near lakes’ Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Oct 24 has ordered the BBMP not to allow any construction within 50 feet of a SWD and near lakes. He also directed the BBMP to prepare a master plan to connect lakes. The BBMP will prepare a plan to build channels to connect lakes to ensure rainwater flows into the lakes. The BBMP was instructed to ensure that sewage does not flow into the lakes. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/no-construction-within-50-feet-of-swd-or-near-lakes-dks-tells-bbmp/article68792470.ece (25 Oct. 2024)
Govt to install aeration systems in 20 lakes Subject to approval, BBMP will soon call for tenders to install new aerators, each costing Rs 20 lakh. The total budget for the project is Rs 35 crores. According to the Lake Department of BBMP, water bodies from different zones have been handpicked to install submerged diffused aeration systems that will help oxygenate the lower depths of the water columns.
Apart from aerators, the department will also create floating wetlands, bring in technologies such as Jal Dost, and build sluice gates and fencing wherever required. However, city-based lake experts and activists say the fund would have been better spent if used for maintenance of existing infrastructure and technologies to improve lake water quality. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/20-lakes-in-bengaluru-to-receive-aeration-systems/articleshow/109654566.cms (28 April 2024)
SPCB issues notice to industries over lakes pollution The SPCB has said that it issued notices to 8 industries and a procedure has been initiated to file a criminal case against one industry in Bengaluru Rural, all of which were found to be not complying with environment rules. The SPCB found itself in the spotlight after activist Girish N P moved the NGT against pollution of five lakes in Doddaballapur. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/kspcb-issues-notice-to-doddaballapur-industries-over-water-pollution-3126054 (29 July 2024)
Lokayukta finds encroachments at 2 lakes Encroachments, blockage of rajakaluve (stormwater drain) and under-utilisation of funds were some of the irregularities discovered by Lokayukta during a recent inspection of Vibhutipura and Doddanekundi lakes. The inspection was held on Aug 20 by Lokayukta Justice B S Patil, Upa Lokayuktas Justices K N Phaneendra and B Veerappa in the presence of BBMP, BWSSB and other officials. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/lokayukta-probe-finds-blocked-swdsencroachments-at-two-bengaluru-lakes-3181926 (09 Sept. 2024) NGT takes notice of the matter The NGT has sought a response from the chief commissioner of BBMP and other officials on a Lokayukta report on two Bangalore lakes that found blocked SWDs and encroachments as major issues. The NGT was hearing a matter where it had taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report regarding the Lokayukta’s probe. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/ngt-issues-notice-to-bbmp-on-blockage-of-drains-encroachment-in-bengaluru-lakes-3230450 (13 Oct. 2024)
NGO booked for ‘damaging Heelalige lake’s work’ Malligavad Foundation (MF), an environmental NGO founded by lake conservationist Anand Malligavad, who is known to restore lakes in and around Bengaluru, has been slapped with an FIR lodged against it by the chief officer (CO) of Chandrapur town municipal council for allegedly damaging Heelalige Lake, near Bommasandra, southeast Bengaluru. The foundation has been accused of causing “injury to works of irrigation or wrongfully diverting water” under Section 430 of Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act, 2014. Denying the allegations, Malligavad said he has all the necessary documents to show he hasn’t carried out any work illegally.. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/ngo-booked-for-damaging-work-that-depleted-groundwater-level/articleshow/108986135.cms (03 April 2024)
10. New policy to hand over lakes upkeep to corporates New policy framed to hand over lake upkeep to corporates, govt tells Karnataka High Court. A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind adjourned the hearing after the petitioners expressed apprehensions about handing over the lakes to corporates. In 10 days a specimen MoU will be shared. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/new-policy-framed-to-hand-over-lake-upkeep-to-corporates-govt-tells-karnataka-high-court-3159215 (21 Aug 2024)
Alstom to rejuvenate Agrahara lake The Bidare Agrahara Lake have been rejuvenated in Doddabanahalli Village, Bengaluru East. The project involved a number of components including desilting, desludging, increasing the water storage capacity of the lake to 18 crore litres in the Dakshina Pinakini River. https://thecsruniverse.com/articles/alstom-partners-with-united-way-of-bengaluru-to-rejuvenate-bidare-agrahara-lake (22 June 2024)
CSR-funded lakes turn toxic Residents of E Bengaluru are expressing concerns about the deteriorating state of water bodies in villages outside BBMP limits. They point out that the water bodies recently rejuvenated through CSR initiatives are in the worst condition. Mullur Lake in Kodathi village near Sarjapur Main Road serves as a prime example. Local lake activists report that the lake, developed a year ago by an NGO in collaboration with a private firm, has already deteriorated into a large septic tank, with sewage and industrial effluents flowing in unchecked. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/civic/csr-funded-lakes-in-east-bengaluru-turn-toxic-due-to-sewage-and-industrial-effluents/articleshow/111522739.cms (6 Jul 2024)
Untreated sewage discharged into Mullur lake The entry of untreated sewage into Mullur Lake has sparked health concerns among residents. The situation is equally dire at Dorekere Lake near Kumaraswamy Layout, where sewage inflow and garbage dumping have led to eutrophication and poor maintenance. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/untreated-sewage-discharge-into-hidden-jewel-sparks-health-concerns-among-residents-3425377 (28 Feb. 2025)
Relevant Report
NGT reopens Kasavanahalli lake case The NGT has now reinstated a four-year-old case where applicant B Raghupathy alleges that the builder K S Satish’s New Ark Project, which involves the construction of both an apartment and a commercial complex in Kasavanahalli, has violated environmental guidelines. Raghupathy claims the builder initially sought land conversion from agricultural to ‘hi-tech’ use. However, before the deputy commissioner could issue an order, the builder requested the BDA to convert the land from ‘hi-tech’ to ‘commercial.’ He further alleged that a secondary nala adjacent to the project site, which acts as a feeder canal to the Kaikondrahalli and Kasavanahalli lakes, is at risk due to the construction. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/builder-faces-fresh-heat-as-ngt-reopens-4-year-old-case-3218884 (04 Oct. 2024)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
SANDRP 