Climate Crisis: Bengaluru Battles to Rescue Its Disappearing Lakes

In BENGALURU, India, Sunil Kumar propels his modest boat through Doddajala Lake, painstakingly laying out fishing nets across the mass of floating weeds that blanket the water’s surface. The edges of the net are secured to the shore, where they are attached to a tractor and an earthmover. These machines pull the tangled vegetation toward shore, where workers armed with pitchforks haul it away. This process is repeated tirelessly; Kumar and his team have dedicated 10 hours daily over the past fortnight to purify the lake as part of a crucial initiative to salvage the contaminated lakes surrounding Bengaluru, a rapidly expanding technology hub.

“When the weeds flourish, the fish perish due to the lack of oxygen beneath the surface,” Kumar explains, highlighting the critical situation.

In recent years, city officials and community volunteers have successfully revitalized numerous lakes, although many challenges remain. Bengaluru boasted over 250 lakes in the 1970s, but today only about 180 survive, many in dire condition. Experts attribute this decline to the city’s rapid development and the inadequate management of sewage, which has deteriorated the ancient lake system that once nourished the local communities on this otherwise arid plateau.

Doddajala Lake, which spans 94 acres (38 hectares) and is located near the city’s northern boundary close to the airport, is surrounded by a mix of multistory buildings, resorts, and traditional mud-tiled houses amidst farmland. R. Byregowda, head of the nearby Doddajala village, credits the proximity to the airport for the area’s development.

“The transformation in my village over the last five years is astounding,” Byregowda remarks, who is actively involved in the lake cleanup initiatives.

The efforts to clean the lake involve local citizen groups focused primarily on weed removal and government officials who have constructed a walking path, installed benches, and planted trees with support from private contributors.

Kumar, who has participated in cleaning four additional lakes, notes that the unchecked growth of weeds, nourished by the nitrogen and phosphorous in sewage, poses a severe threat to the lake’s ecosystem. Volunteers frequently find plastic bottles, clothing, and other trash among the weeds and littered along the shorelines.

“As a child, I remember swimming in clear lake waters, but now it’s contaminated with sewage,” Kumar laments.

Lakes Decrease in a City Historically Defined by Them

The condition of these lakes has broad implications for the city, especially given the current climate trends. Experts emphasize the necessity for strategic long-term planning to ensure that the lakes can mitigate flooding by collecting surplus rainwater and help sustain the city’s water supply by replenishing groundwater. Additionally, the lakes naturally cool the surrounding areas during the hot summer months.

“Lakes serve as natural coolants during extreme heat and act as flood barriers during heavy rainfall,” explains Shashank Palur, a hydrologist based in Bengaluru with the think tank Water, Environment, Land and Livelihood Labs.

Originating in the 16th century, the network of lakes and reservoirs was constructed to support fishing, agriculture, and domestic needs in a region lacking significant river systems. Palur points out that the city’s growth has led to construction over many of these rain-fed lakes, which typically dry up in summer. Additionally, faulty sewage systems and improper construction have resulted in sewage leaks into storm drains, eventually reaching lakes and promoting algal growth and invasive weeds.

A study from 2017 by the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, the most recent data available, indicates that 85% of the city’s water bodies are polluted.

Palur notes that city officials often find themselves scrambling to address these issues as new buildings are occupied before proper sewage connections are established, leading to local sewage accumulation and illegal disposal.

“Incomplete sewer and water connections across the city mean our lakes suffer pollution,” he states.

Community Efforts Lead Lake Revival Initiatives

Community volunteers have been instrumental in restoring many lakes, occasionally with support from governmental bodies. The restoration of Jakkur Lake on the city’s outskirts, spearheaded by volunteers, was nationally recognized in 2019.

“Anytime a lake in Bengaluru has been preserved, it’s because of community activism,” says V. Ramprasad, co-founder of the Friends of Lakes volunteer group, which has revitalized over 20 water bodies. “We act as vigilant guardians for these areas.”

A 2012 judicial decision required government officials to lead lake restoration efforts, but implementation has been weak and marred by bureaucratic confusion, according to Bhargavi Rao, a researcher and environmental activist.

“It’s crucial for local governments to maintain these public spaces, especially in a society already fragmented by various social divides,” she asserts.

While volunteer efforts are vital, advocates stress the need for government leadership to ensure the sustainability of these efforts. Rao cautions that individual initiatives, though well-intentioned, may not endure without structured support.

Ramprasad emphasizes that restoration should extend beyond mere cleanup and beautification, incorporating strategies like rainwater harvesting to combat floods and restore groundwater levels, which require more extensive resources and planning.

City officials acknowledge the importance of lake conservation, especially with the impending challenges of water scarcity projected for 2024. “Protecting our lakes is crucial for meeting the water needs of Bengaluru, both for groundwater replenishment and for the surrounding ecosystem,” states Ramprasath Manohar, head of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

Manohar reports that the state government has fenced around 160 lakes and removed illegal encroachments among other measures.

Kumar, contributing his efforts in the lake cleanup, notes the additional benefit of lakes in providing a natural cooling environment. “People rely on air conditioning in their cars, but by the lake, it’s naturally cool,” he observes.

He remains committed to the cleanup efforts: “Once it’s fully clean, I look forward to resuming fishing and welcoming more people to enjoy the lake,” Kumar concludes.

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