History
Saving and Nurturing Puttenahalli Lake
For centuries the Puttenahalli Lake in J.P. Nagar had been a pristine water body, playing a vital role in maintaining the fragile ecosystem of our neighbourhood. Like many other lakes in Bangalore, this one too fell prey to indiscriminate exploitation and neglect. Like them it would also have vanished into oblivion but…
History of Bangalore Lakes
Bangalore was once the City of Lakes
- 262 lakes, tanks and water-bodies (early 1950s)
- Man-made, most of them created by early rulers of the city
- Interconnected in a cascading fashion, prevented flooding
- Used for drinking water, irrigation, fishing, washing clothes
In the absence of a river close-by, Bangalore depended heavily on lakes for its drinking water requirements.
Over the years the lakes have been disappearing one-by-one, along with the general knowledge that they even existed.
Where did the lakes go?
- Increasing urbanization and consequent demand for land – Water bodies were sacrificed for ‘developmental/ infrastructural requirements’ of the city.
- Exploitation and neglect - Dumping of debris and garbage, inflow of sewage led to degradation of lakes, that it was easier to close them up than to save them.
- Malaria scare - Instead of finding ways to eliminate malaria-causing mosquitoes, water-bodies were eliminated
Kempegowda Bus Stand at Majestic, Kanteerava Stadium, Football Stadium, Hockey Stadium, KGA Golf Course, National Games Village Koramangala were all lakes once!
BBMP Lakes provides information on the lakes in Bangalore.
Why are lakes important in urban areas?
- Reduce temperature
- Reduce pollution
- Catchment for rainwater
- Prevent flooding
- Supply drinking water
- Raise water table
- Habitat for animal and plant life
- Lung space for humans
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