Every time we cross the Hebbal flyover, I invariably have a sinking feeling as I glance towards the lake. Water hyacinths have covered much of the lake and the soil dumped on the lake periphery towards Bellary Road looks very ugly. Since there is no fencing, the sand may affect motorists now that the monsoons have started.
I went though lot of articles in several newspapers, blogs, and magazines (both online and print). There are some beautiful insights on the lake in Praja Bangalore and Citizen Matters. Sadly they do not carry a single article on the current state of the lake. The public is still in the dark on the maintenance of the lake.
For the uninitiated, Hebbal and its adjoining Nagavara lakes in North Bangalore, have a 150 year old history. Built by Kempegowda, these were man made and served as water beds for the population living around here. The lakes attracted migratory birds from Himalayan and Central Asiatic regions. Over recent times, the numbers have diminished due to city’s development in this region. Last year, there was a furore by the environmentalists, when Lake Development Authority (LDA) leased the lake to the Oberoi Group for a 15 year term. They took this decision to court and won the battle.
After the court decision, the information on these lakes is zero. Zilch. Who is now responsible for the lake’s development and preservation? Certainly not the LDA - which just has grandeur plans of conservation of (hold your breath) 17 lakes in the city. Certainly not the green group - who just win high court battles but in the aftermath do not write and create public awareness about the lake’s development.
I have been to the Nagavara lake which is now maintained by Lumbini Gardens. The lakeside is now a huge amusement park. With a lot of entertainment, food courts and of course the water body, the lake provides respite to a lot of people around the area. To give due credit to Lumbini, the lake is clean; sign boards, with messages to the public such as "Keep the lakeside clean" and "Do not throw food to the fish", are displayed along the bank. But does it help the eco-system? Do migratory birds flock here now that the lake side is populated by people? (Motorboats operate even after sunset) I have my own doubts about it. Now consider the Hebbal Lake. It has a nominal entry fee. There is no amusement park. I am not sure on the boating facilities. Even if it has, how can one go boating in a lake covered with weeds?
With no public private partnership and laxity in lakes development by the LDA, my fear is that Hebbal Lake, sadly, might turn into another Subashnagar bus stand. Environmentalists, LDA, private companies please come round with a solution. Every one of us has a social responsibility towards the fragile eco-system – profit or no profit.
I went though lot of articles in several newspapers, blogs, and magazines (both online and print). There are some beautiful insights on the lake in Praja Bangalore and Citizen Matters. Sadly they do not carry a single article on the current state of the lake. The public is still in the dark on the maintenance of the lake.
For the uninitiated, Hebbal and its adjoining Nagavara lakes in North Bangalore, have a 150 year old history. Built by Kempegowda, these were man made and served as water beds for the population living around here. The lakes attracted migratory birds from Himalayan and Central Asiatic regions. Over recent times, the numbers have diminished due to city’s development in this region. Last year, there was a furore by the environmentalists, when Lake Development Authority (LDA) leased the lake to the Oberoi Group for a 15 year term. They took this decision to court and won the battle.
After the court decision, the information on these lakes is zero. Zilch. Who is now responsible for the lake’s development and preservation? Certainly not the LDA - which just has grandeur plans of conservation of (hold your breath) 17 lakes in the city. Certainly not the green group - who just win high court battles but in the aftermath do not write and create public awareness about the lake’s development.
I have been to the Nagavara lake which is now maintained by Lumbini Gardens. The lakeside is now a huge amusement park. With a lot of entertainment, food courts and of course the water body, the lake provides respite to a lot of people around the area. To give due credit to Lumbini, the lake is clean; sign boards, with messages to the public such as "Keep the lakeside clean" and "Do not throw food to the fish", are displayed along the bank. But does it help the eco-system? Do migratory birds flock here now that the lake side is populated by people? (Motorboats operate even after sunset) I have my own doubts about it. Now consider the Hebbal Lake. It has a nominal entry fee. There is no amusement park. I am not sure on the boating facilities. Even if it has, how can one go boating in a lake covered with weeds?
With no public private partnership and laxity in lakes development by the LDA, my fear is that Hebbal Lake, sadly, might turn into another Subashnagar bus stand. Environmentalists, LDA, private companies please come round with a solution. Every one of us has a social responsibility towards the fragile eco-system – profit or no profit.
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3 comments:
In the last few days, I've noticed that fencing of the lake has started. One positive step towards its preservation.
The lake was originally created for irrigation. It has outlived that utility. Now we need to find new and real reasons to keep it alive.
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