Positioned in J P Nagar, the Puttenahalli Lake is an iconic waterbody and one of many first few lakes revived by means of the joint efforts of the residents and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). As a result of common upkeep carried out by the native residents, the 13.25-acre lake continues to be pristine.
Usha Rajagopalan, chairperson of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Enchancment Belief (PNLIT), mentioned, “Once I first noticed the lake in 2006, it was in a nasty form. With so many lakes in Bengaluru disappearing, I felt I shouldn’t let Puttenahalli meet the identical destiny. We are able to succeed solely when the individuals are with us. So, I requested the individuals in my advanced to hitch palms in saving the lake. BBMP began the rejuvenation in 2009.”
Puttenahalli Lake is an iconic waterbody and one of many first few lakes revived by means of the joint efforts of the residents and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). (Categorical picture by Jithendra M)
“On the event of World Earth Day in 2010, we had invited individuals staying within the neighborhood of the lake to tell and contain them within the lake rejuvenation. That was after I met Arathi Manay, Prasanna Vynatheya and O P Ramaswamy. We determined to type a belief to help the BBMP in sustaining the lake. In June 2010, we bought PNLIT registered and in July, along with BBMP, organised a tree plantation drive. We bought residents to plant timber and donate cash for its maintenance. With this cash, we employed a gardener and a safety guard because the lake was not utterly fenced at the moment and anyone may come and harm the saplings,” she added.
In Might 2011, the BBMP signed an MoU with PNLIT and formally handed over the upkeep of Puttenahalli Lake to the belief. (Categorical picture by Jithendra M)
In Might 2011, the BBMP signed an MoU with PNLIT and formally handed over the upkeep of Puttenahalli Lake to the belief. This was the primary occasion of a lake being given to a residents’ group. BBMP provides no monetary help and PNLIT meets the bills by means of public donations. “BBMP supplies infrastructural help whereas we preserve the lake involving residents actively. Puttenahalli Lake continues to be maintained wholly by donations from residents. This makes it actually a individuals’s lake,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, a slum on the bund of Puttenahalli Lake is a reason for fear for the protection of the embankment of the lake.
“Due to the slum dwellers residing within the premises, the lake is open 24X7. An excessive amount of vandalism takes place particularly at evening. The income division in 2015 had recognized 2.5 acre land in Bettadasanapura for the rehabilitation of the slum dwellers. This land was handed over to the Karnataka Slum Improvement Board. After acquiring the consent from the slum dwellers, BBMP agreed to fund the development of momentary sheds and the Slum Improvement Board additionally agreed to assemble one bed room flats on the similar website. Nonetheless, the slum dwellers demolished the momentary sheds and filed a writ petition in 2015 within the Excessive Courtroom during which they demanded particular person plots,” she mentioned.
“On March 7, 2019, the Excessive Courtroom disposed of the writ petition filed by the slum dwellers asking the deputy commissioner and income division to decide on the illustration made by the slum dwellers. They got 12 weeks however they didn’t take any motion. So, in March 2021, we filed a writ petition asking the authorities to take a call on this and to guard the lake. On July 15 this yr, the courtroom directed the slum dwellers to be evicted. However until date, nothing has occurred,” Rajagopalan added.
The subsequent listening to within the case is on November 14 during which the BBMP has to file an ‘motion taken report’.