Reincarnating Benguluru Lakes; an Eco Friendly Model

A few years ago, Hebbal lake of Bengaluru was the common waste dumping ground and a sewage reservoir. The lake was stinking with years of waste accumulated in its depths and migratory birds and fish were a rare sight in the vicinity of the lake, leaving the dying place to scavengers.

But, the Indo-Norwegian Environment Program (INEP) changed the ill fate of the lake and breathed fresh air into the filth and garbage choked it for years. The 64.5 hectare lake was filled sewage from nearby housing complexes. With funds from the INEP and cooperation from water conservation experts and the Forest Department, the lake started breathing again.

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The lake was filled with plants to eat up pollutants and fish to enhance water quality. In order to prevent further garbage dumping and encroachment, a 7 km joggers’ track was built around the lake. The workers took around three years to finish the purification process.

They solved the major issue of disposing millions of tons of sludge and silt by constructing tiny islands in the middle of the lake, which eventually became habitats for migratory birds. With spending more than 3 crore for the rejuvenation process, the return was a breathing lake where birds, fish and people come together to share the lighter moments of life. Other urban lakes like Madiwala and Dodda Bommasandra near Vidyaranyapura are also cleaned using the funds of the INEP.