Positioned within the Bommanahalli zone, the Yelenahalli Lake, unfold over 4.97 acre, was restored by the participation of neighbourhood group and civic physique Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in June this 12 months. At the moment, the residents are blissful seeing the lake brimming with water.
Venkat Sanganal, a resident who with a staff of volunteers labored in direction of restoring the lake, mentioned, “It’s a nice success for the group which introduced the lake to life. We have now an unregistered physique known as Jalanidhi. A number of years in the past the lake had no path to stroll round and sewage used to move inside. We used to scrub the lake ourselves. This someway saved the lake from encroachment as a result of actual property giants had been eyeing it and any such transfer to encroach the lake, if seen by us, was dropped at the discover of the BBMP. Repeated requests had been made to the BBMP to take up rejuvenation works on this lake and at last final 12 months, the work in direction of restoring the lake was began.”
“As many as 65 fowl species have been noticed on the lake within the final 4 years,” mentioned Raghavendra B Pachhapur, Programme Supervisor with ActionAid Affiliation, India. (Categorical photograph by Jithendra M)
Whereas the entry of sewage into the lake was stopped after the restoration, Sanganal identified that there are a couple of homes which aren’t linked to the primary sewer line ensuing within the move of sewage into the lake.
“A number of days in the past, officers from the Karnataka State Air pollution Management Board (KSPCB) and Bangalore Water Provide and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had been right here on the lake. We’re hopeful of the issue getting resolved. The second part of the event of the lake is but to start out. Exterior fencing alongside the boundary of the lake is finished and inner fencing across the water physique is but to be carried out,” he mentioned.
“Any lake improvement, with out an energetic neighbourhood group, just isn’t going to maintain for too lengthy after having spent crores and Yelenahalli lake has such a vibrant staff which assures the massive side,” Sanganal added.
“There’s a want for guiding all roadside water to a suspension pond and later to the waterbody,” mentioned Pachhapur. (Categorical photograph by Jithendra M)
The neighbourhood group final weekend performed a small puja to worship the lake. “At any time when the lake used to overflow, up to now, villagers used to worship the God of water which is Ganga. We’re doing that now in order that the villagers know that the lake belongs to them. While you worship a waterbody, there’s a hesitation to throw plastic and waste into it,” he added.
Raghavendra B Pachhapur, Programme Supervisor with ActionAid Affiliation, India mentioned, “As many as 65 fowl species have been noticed on the lake within the final 4 years. Widespread moorhen, Pond heron, White-breasted hen, Cormorant, Brahminy Kite, Eurasian coot and the Little grebe had been seen throughout my go to on October 22. The lake has first rate vegetation round it and has ample scope for plantation of fruit-bearing bushes which might entice extra fowl species.”
“It was good to note 5 catch drain inlets from roadside for harnessing rainwater. It was seen that muddy and gray water overflowing from the roadside flowed into the lake immediately. There’s a want for guiding all roadside water to a suspension pond and later to the waterbody,” he added.
Pachhapur identified that the water high quality within the lake has deteriorated. “It is likely to be for 2 causes – untreated water has entered the lake and harvested vegetation mendacity on the bund space have slipped into the water in massive portions. BBMP ought to clear all of the issues mendacity within the lake waters and monitor catch drains. Cleansing of the sewage diversion channel is required. The peak of the current drain appears to be small. Even a small blockage will let all of the sewage to the waterbody polluting it,” he mentioned.