BENGALURU: If Bellandur lake has been frothing and spewing toxic foam after the heavy rains on Monday night, a few city lakes are brimming with fresh rain water, courtesy successful rejuvenation programme. They are even likely to overflow in the coming days. Public-private partnership and community involvement have helped Kawdenahalli Lake, Uttarahalli Kere, Rachenahalli Lake and Kudlu Lake rejuvenate in a span of 4-5 years. These water bodies were developed and rejuvenated by the BBMP in cooperation with United Way of Bengaluru (UWBe). Corporates and communities supported their cause.
“These full lakes will recharge the ground water table for around 5 -6 kilometres. All the lakes in Bengaluru are interlinked through rajakaluves or natural storm water drains. As Kawdenahalli lake has a good natural wetland treatment system and gets less pollutants, mostly clean water flows into the next lake from it,” says Mahesh HC, Senior Manager Campaigns, UWBe.
Ravindra of Indus Herbs, who has been involved in greening of these lakes, says quality water is flowing into the lakes this year. Earlier, during heavy rains, only sewage and plastic debris used to flow into the water bodies.“At Kawdenahalli, we have seen a real transformation in the last two years. Kudlu lake has an acre of wetland that has been fortunately not disturbed,” he adds.
Uttarahalli lake
The 16-acre lake on Uttarahalli Main Road was desilted, de-weeded, cleaned and fenced followed by setting up of an STP. The rejuvenation work which was launched in 2011 was completed in 2016. Local residents say that in the last few days when it rained incessantly, the water has flowed through six inlets to the lake.
Kawdenahalli lake
Situated in Ramamurthy Nagar, next to ITI Township, Kawdenahalli lake is spread over 25 acres. This water body is almost full and is likely to overflow after another spell of rain. Next to it is KR Puram lake which will receive the excess water. The lake was developed by UWBe and BBMP for the past four years with 5,000 saplings planted around the lake bund which is mix of native tree species and herbs.
Rachenahalli lake
Following heavy rains, the lake has started to overflow. It is located behind Manyata Tech Park near Jakkur post. Spread over 130 acres, it has a large island with a mini-forest, attracting birds. This lake was also brought under the Wake the Lake Campaign two years ago. Around 1,000 saplings of different species were planted.
Several city areas receive moderate showers
While city is yet to recover from Wednesday’s rainfall, many parts of the city received moderate showers on Thursday. According to KSNDMC, Bommanahalli received 21.5mm, Bellandur-Mahadevapura-13.5mm, Avalhalli-10mm, Varthur- 10.5mm, Domlur- 9mm and other places received moderate showers. Traffic was affected in Jayanagar, Majestic, Airport Road, Malleswaram and Anand Rao Circle among other places.