Citizens come up with novel concept for saving a lake

Citizens come up with novel concept for saving a lake

Deepika Arwind
BBMP open to idea of retaining Kaikondarahalli Lake as an ecosystem
Members are hoping a sewage treatment plant and vermicompost plant will be set up

They say they are willing to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on lake-related activities



Will the initiative work? Cattle at the Kaikondarahalli Lake in Bangalore
BANGALORE: Here is a citizen’s environmental initiative that could well be a template for lake conservation. Before the tender process — slated after the elections — for the Kaikondarahalli Lake on Sarjapur Road begins, a citizens’ group has approached the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to consider retaining it as a thriving ecosystem rather than as a “beautiful-looking lake”.

The BBMP appears to be open to the idea of working with the group. A rough proposal by a core committee has been drafted by representatives of five surrounding villages — Kasavanahalli, Bovi Colony, Harlur and Amblipura and Kaikondrahalli — and others who live on Sarjapur Road.

According to them, the usual cemented path, a fence and manicured lawns will not ensure the lake’s living quality, and will lead to more expenditure in future. Some of the pointers in the citizen’s mandate are already part of the BBMP’s mandate for the lake, such as cleaning and removal of weeds. But a sewage treatment plant (STP), which is something the BBMP has not included in its first phase plan of Rs. 276 lakh of the budgeted Rs. 400 lakh for this financial year, according to citizens, is crucial in keeping the lake intact.

“We need a separate pipe system running around the edges of the lake so that the sewage doesn’t contaminate the lake,” said Ramesh Sivaraman, member of the core committee. Members vetoed the idea for a boating facility, which may pose a threat to the cattle and birds that visit the lake. “The cattle and birds aerate the lake enough and are vital to the lake,” said Mr. Sivaraman.

Birdwatchers
Active birdwatchers in the core committee such as Sohel Mohammed have put together a list of birds that visit the lake. A total of 33 species have been identified, including the white-breasted water hen, egret and the spot-billed duck.

Their other demands include surveying the catchment area of the lake so that they can take action for the smooth flow of water into the lake, aided by slopes. Along with an STP, the proposal hopes for a vermicompost plant. “We are willing to be the interface between the various departments such as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) and the Karnataka State Pollution Board to make the two plants successful,” said Priya Ramasubban, member of the core committee. The members were willing to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on lake-related activities, they said.

The children of Renuka School, which is situated on the banks of the lake, are also involved in the process. What the citizen’s proposal demands for them is full access to the lake and to make their current playground — a small spot at the edge of the lake — into a park, which could be used by the children during the day and the public in the evening. Other suggestions include a nature centre for children, a dirt track to ride bicycles or walking and a secluded pit for those from nearby villages to use as eco-friendly toilets.

Officials of the BBMP told The Hindu that they would be most willing to act on the suggestions and encouraged the involvement of the citizens.