Lakes of Bengaluru: BBMP’s apathy drowns efforts to revitalise Doddakallasandra lake

As per the 2019 Biodiversity Report of the lake prepared by the NGO ActionAid Association, the Doddakallasandra lake hosts 354 trees of 42 species, 43 species of plants and shrubs, 37 butterfly species and 71 bird species, including 11 migratory ones. Two of these birds – the oriental darter and the black-headed ibis – are listed as Near Threatened species as per the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

As per the 2019 Biodiversity Report of the lake prepared by the NGO ActionAid Association, the Doddakallasandra lake hosts 354 trees of 42 species, 43 species of plants and shrubs, 37 butterfly species and 71 bird species, including 11 migratory ones. (Express Photo)

In July 2020, the BBMP initiated the rejuvenation of the water body after incessant follow-ups by the citizens’ group Doddakallasandra Lake Protection Committee (DLPC). The local residents have, however, pointed out that the civic body ignored the suggestions of the Justice N K Patil committee on lake management.

According to lake conservationist Raghavendra B Pachhapur, ActionAid had conducted a lake bed assessment report and submitted it to the BBMP. “The report suggested that the lake bed is more or less evenly desilted across and needs to be heightened at the foreshore which went unheard. Justice NK Patil committee recommends that the foreshore should start with one feet of water and deepen further as the lakebed moves towards the bund region. Seventy per cent of the biodiversity exists in these shallow waters, which convert itself to wet soil and marshy land as water reduces during the year, and have different vegetations which attract different birds. In spite of our knowledge and efforts, we could not succeed with the BBMP,” he said.

In July 2020, the BBMP initiated the rejuvenation of the water body after incessant follow-ups by the citizens’ group Doddakallasandra Lake Protection Committee (DLPC). (Express Photo)

Pachhapur pointed out that in order to harness rainwater, the BBMP came up with a design and constructed two catch drains connecting to the water body, but two more are still due for reasons unknown. “Harnessing rainwater helps reduce the burden of sewage, increases BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) levels and raises the dissolved oxygen levels that support life. Ward-level BBMP officers have been helpful to a very small extent and we expect them to speed up the work and support us in harnessing rainwater from around the area of the lake,” he added.

K V Manjunath Reddy, president of Narayananagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said that though Rs 5 crore was allotted for the rejuvenation of the lake, the work carried out was shoddy.

The local residents have, however, pointed out that the civic body ignored the suggestions of the Justice N K Patil committee on lake management. (Express Photo)

“Sewage still enters the lake and the water quality is very poor. We wanted the BBMP to install a sewage treatment plant (STP). This proposal from our side was considered initially but it did not happen. A housing complex adjoining the lake discharges untreated water into the lake, polluting it. Though this has been brought to the notice of the agencies, no action has been taken. Moreover, certain portions of the lake have not been fenced properly,” he stated.

Pachhapur explained that stray dogs also pose a threat. “At present, many stray dogs move around the lake area at any given point of time and threaten the bird species. Doddakallasandra is now a hotspot for many water birds, and species like the Eurasian coot and grey-headed swamphen breed in the lake, so stray dogs are a new area of concern.”

Two of the birds found in the lake – the oriental darter and the black-headed ibis – are listed as Near Threatened species as per the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (Express Photo)

Reiterating the points raised by local residents, DLPC member Soundarajan Rajagopalan said that the BBMP has failed to address the issue of sewage entering the lake.

BBMP officials, meanwhile, did not respond to calls.