Unfold over 82 acres, Sarakki Lake in south Bengaluru is likely one of the oldest lakes within the metropolis. Often called a ‘lake of thousand birds’, a decade in the past, the lake had become a reservoir for untreated sewage, unabated encroachment and a spot to dump rubbish. Two years in the past, nonetheless, it was restored to its former glory following a joint effort by native residents and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Residents concerned with the lake’s renewal say that the Sarakki restoration mannequin is one price emulating. “This lake was rejuvenated two years in the past. Maybe, this is likely one of the few lakes brimming with water. Loads of aquatic and avian lives thrive right here. That is the most effective lake in Bengaluru,” says Professor Ok S Bhat, president of Sarakki Lake Space Enchancment Belief (SLAIT).
Earlier than the restoration work, Sarakki Lake used to obtain over 10 lakh litres of sewage each day. (Specific picture by Jithendra M)
In 2012, SLAIT, a residents’ collective, was fashioned. On its demand, income officers surveyed the lake and located greater than 180 encroachments. A 12 months later, an NGO known as Individuals’s Proper to Marketing campaign for Water (PCRW) filed a public curiosity litigation within the Karnataka Excessive Court docket, which subsequently directed the authorities to take away encroachments from the lake. In 2015, the encroachments had been razed. Nonetheless, the lake was not restored as new encroachments had cropped up.
In 2017, the late freedom fighter H S Doreswamy visited the lake together with the NGO United Bengaluru and requested authorities to revive the lake and take away the encroachments. A 12 months later, in 2018, the Karnataka State Air pollution Management Board (KSPCB) issued notices to industries round Sarakki Lake for polluting the water physique. The previous Lokayukta, Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty, visited the lake and directed the civic authorities to revive the lake in a time-bound method.
Although part of the Sarakki Lake success story, Bhat, who’s in his late 80s, just isn’t one to relaxation on his laurels. Different points nonetheless want consideration, he factors out. (Specific picture by Jithendra M)
Although part of the Sarakki Lake success story, Bhat, who’s in his late 80s, just isn’t one to relaxation on his laurels. Different points nonetheless want consideration, he factors out. “One is that the lake has a boundary of three.5 km, of which 300 metres is but to be fenced. This space couldn’t be fenced due to litigation points. A couple of individuals went to courtroom and received a keep on fencing this a part of the lake. Within the final 5 years, BBMP couldn’t get the keep cleared,” he says.
Bhat says an actual property developer is constructing a fancy within the buffer zone of the lake. “We’ve got complained to the police, authorities and even the chief minister. It’s learnt that the CM has directed the authorities to look into the problem,” he provides.
In line with Bhat, although the lake receives water from the sewage remedy plant (STP) all year long, throughout the wet season, sewage will get combined with the stormwater and flows into the lake. (Specific picture by Jithendra M)
In line with Bhat, although the lake receives water from the sewage remedy plant (STP) all year long, throughout the wet season, sewage will get combined with the stormwater and flows into the lake. “Greater than Rs 100 crore has been spent within the restoration of the lake. Bangalore Water Provide Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has not been capable of fully divert the sewage from the lake,” he factors out.
However, there may be a lot that Bhat could be joyful about. “A biodiversity tree park has been developed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Company (BMRCL) within the neighborhood of the lake. A strolling monitor, about 3 km, is laid the place 500 individuals stroll day by day. Every single day, 100 kg of fish is caught by the fishermen which is one other constructive aspect of the event of the lake,” he says.