Bangalore residents change lakeview!

Bangalore residents change lakeview!
Invest Rs 35 Lakh And Restore Lake To Pristine Glory
The Times of India

Bangalore: In yet another demonstration of people power, 550 residents of the Palm Meadows Associations restored the Sheelavantharakere lake in six months. This, when the Lake Development Authority failed to do it all these years.

With an investment of Rs 35 lakh, the 20-acre Sheelavantharakere, which was everything from an open toilet to garbage dumping ground to safe haven for drug peddlers, has finally been restored to its original glory as a lake.

The lake was adopted by the Palm Meadows Residents’ Association six months ago, soon after the LDA introduced the ‘adopt a lake’ policy. Living in their independent bungalows, it would have been very easy for these residents to ignore the sight of the deteriorating lake. “But we wanted to do our bit for our environment and joined hands for this,” said vice-president of the Palm Meadows Owners’ Association R K Misra.

“It’s not only the first residents’ association of the city to adopt a lake but has also set an example for others,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Development Authority B K Singh.

Signing an agreement to take responsibility of a lake for five years was possible with the unstinted support of all the residents. After collecting money from individual contributors, the residents divided the development of the lake in three phases — restoration, desilting and beautification.

Restoration comprised removing weeds to identify the area of the water body, fencing, evicting encroachers, embanking and making pathways.

“We have put gates at the entrance, six-foot high fences around the 1.5-km boundary. The marine life is slowly being restored,’’ added Misra.

After desilting and pitching, which will be over by June, the residents will plant trees around the walkway and open a butterfly park at one corner of the lake. “Under the beautification phase, we will be planting ornamental trees every 30 feet,’’ added Misra. The project is expected to complete by June end.

The beautified lake is already attracting morning walkers, bird watchers, youngsters and family members who love to spend time there either exercising, relaxing or having a picnic.

How to adopt a lake
A lake can be adopted by a group of local citizens, residents’ committee, builders, corporators or educational institutions. The background and the financial position of the body will be scrutinised. Though the lease period of the lake is five years, the LDA can withdraw the agreement if the body fails to live up to its promises.