This blogger was part of a workshop “Urban Lakes and Bird Life” conducted by Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) under the able guidance of Dr. Subramanya Sastry (popularly Subbu). We went to five lakes in the city, each a case study, exploring different aspects of threat and challenge that lake in Bangalore faces (indeed it is true and applicable for any burgeoning urban settlements across the world). Before I get into the trip -the learnings and observations, let me quote Justice Mr. N. K. Patil who headed the committee constituted by Karnataka High Court to examine the ground realities and prepare an Action Plan for preservation of lakes in the city of Bangalore… “Bangalore is on a course of rapid expansion, transforming itself from a metro to a Mega city. During this process, the worst hit (sector) is the lakes of the region, which are put to misuse, threatening the water security, ecology and environment of the region. The estimated population of Bangalore by the year 2020 would be around 120 lakhs (12 million) and it demands a very proactive regulation, planning and execution system in place, to face the challenges of water scarcity and to keep the City habitable”
We were thirty odd people packed in two mini buses skirting around the length and breadth of the city, what began at 6.30 in the morning ended at 6pm. Must say it was an eye opener in many ways. Our first stop was Kasavanahalli Lake that is on the southern outskirt of the city. Almost a jungle but not for long as one see frantic construction around the lake. We treaded the bushy embankment (omg! it’s the same old lantanas!) keeping an eye for diversity of species, try spotting skills and gain some standing within the motley crowd, while the uninitiated (fortunate ones, I would say) utilized the occasion trying to know one another and exchange admiration for fancy cameras many brandish. I must point here to one Deepa Mohan
, an active lady who was terrific with butterflies and moths. Subbu is a treasure trove, knowledge immense and passion infectious. The intention to visit this lake was to point out pre urban intervention state of lakes. Though the lake looks pristine, the bird population has come down drastically in recent times. There are signs of sewage, invading species changing the ecology of the lake. First signs are shown by foreshore plantation. The situation is acute at Bellandur Lake; the ‘lake’ is sludge of industrial waste and frothing with effluent. It stinks, covered by weeds and devoid of any life. A saddening sight indeed. When lakes are contaminated there are two major consequences• It increases the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), that is, amount of dissolved oxygen, and thus kills the species within the lake
• The lake turns from seasonal to perennial which brings about cataclysmic changes. It’s a death knell for resident and dependent species as their life cycle is broken
One of the biggest lakes in Bangalore is a case study of callousness on the part of policy makers. It also is a pointer to what could happen to lakes in urban areas. Kasavanahalli Lake will very soon be like Bellandur Lake is a horrible reality. There is an urgent need for policy action. Every industrial unit must have sewage treatment unit, and each housing colonies proper sewage disposal system. No one has any right to treat lakes or rivers as dumping yard. The situation is catastrophic and the repercussions are already being felt, if stringent steps are not taken against polluters then this is the end. If Thames River could be resurrected then all is not lost, we still can hope. GDP can grow but once toxic enter the water table, when diversity is lost, no more GDP will help.
Subbu mentioned BOD of Bellandur Lake is more than 500, while what is needed for water to hold life is less than 5!!. The policy makers, we are told, are looking for lakes as possible of potable water source, Subbu says “Why not they start with Bellandur?!!” Good suggestion.
Kaikondanahalli Lake was our next stop, another pristine lake that has substantial bird population, but this lake too is showing signs of sewage seepage (presence of hyacinth is one indication). There are constructions
happening around the lake. This will have impact at two levels• The catchment areas for the lake gets depleted, directly affecting the water table of the lake
• The houses that are constructed in these catchment areas will have flooding during rains, a common features these days as more and more catchment areas are converted into real estate
We were told that authorities tried to ‘develop’ Kaikondanahalli Lake, there were grand plans for boating and Children Park. Thankfully after much protest these were shelved. What is to be noted here is that Acacias (commonly Babool. By the way the word 'khaki' comes from Acacia!!... Please read Pradip Krishen’s seminal work Trees of Delhi for these interesting nuggets) are abundant across the lake and give salubrious green cover, but looks can be deceptive and therein lies another story of insensitivity. Acacia nilotica –the sturdy shrubby Indian specie, is preferred by nesting herons and storks while Acacia auriculiformis –Australian specie that grow tall and don’t support these nests. The acacias planted around the lake are Acacia auriculiformis if it were Acacia nilotica there would have been a heronry here. What a waste. Though, I must add, there is a hidden danger here too. As Acacia wood have high commercial value and could be targeted as has happened, so very blatantly, in Tirunelveli recently. These are lessons on why local species are much suited to region’s biodiversity and should be encouraged. There is a symbiotic relation that exist between different species in nature and when exotic varieties are introduced these are undermined. Atleast opinions of experts must be taken when planting trees and so on. Thankfully they have shown preference towards arjuna trees (Arjuna terminalia), that hold well under slushy conditions, unlike eucalypts (ridiculous, I say).
After lunch we had a long ride to Hebbal Lake, time to relapse. Delonix Regia (gulmohar) is in full bloom and in abundance, strange that these Madagascarian trees are now threatened species in that island. Th
ough one may encourage local specie (and that is how it should be) I cannot help thinking what many Indian cities will look without these amazing trees. Of course Delonix like Eucalypt does monopolies water and nutrient of the vicinity. Another tree throwing its own private riot in Bangalore is African tulip, these trees though host barbets –soft wood- are nightmare for two wheeler riders, the flowers are slippery and dangerous to maneuver over. My vote for flowering tree in Bangalore will definitely go to Tree jasmine (Millingtonia Hortensis), the flowers from the canopy cascade into showers. What an enchanting sight. Haven’t really seen these beautiful trees in other cities, Bangalore is truly blessed.Hebbal Lake presents another aspect of development related ecological concern. The lake apparently is well maintained with a garden alongside that is popular with people. Easy for the eyes it maybe but privatization of lakes is a serious threat and Hebbal presents a case for it. The fishing rights are held by private parties and that has seriously affected the avian population (the exception being Pelicans). So it is reduced to a well maintained fish farm (of economically valuable fishes, it has replaced small variety of fishes that used to feed on mosquito larvae) than a lake that supports diverse species. Further the mound in the center of lake doesn’t support bird species due to choice of trees. Plans from luxury hotel chain to develop water games were successfully resisted. Their zealousness to keep the lake clean has seen to it that all weeds are removed. The issue here is not all weeds are a threat and not all water plants are weeds, and some amounts of weeds do support species.
Puttanhalli Lake in the northern part of the city was our last stop, probably one of the smallest lakes (11acre area) but has largest concentration of avian species (I roughly estimated about 30 white ibis in a folk!!). “This is how Bangalore used to be during my childhood” Subbu reminisces. What has saved this lake and its biodiversity is that it has least human intervention and is zealously guarded. Though last few years the sewage is dumped from adjoining areas, particularly from adjacent CRPF camp -they even threaten anyone who protests against their misdeeds with dire consequences. Is this how a central force expected to behave? Indeed they should be guardians of these lakes.
Though Puttanhalli Lake too is in a precarious condition the visit taught a valuable lesson. It is possible to create lake and attract diverse species. Responsible corporate (and there are many who are concerned about degrading diversity) could make it part of CSR. Buy few acres of land, and work it out with ecologists and other experts (there some really talented people). It is possible. With that hope and on a high note we ended a wonderful day.
