Forget me not: Sarakki Lake cries for attention

The New Indian Express

Aug 22, 2012

By Nivedita KG

Debris dumped in heaps and mounds around the lake periphery and the release of untreated sewage from nearby residential colonies — this is the hallmark of Sarakki lake at J P Nagar like so many other lakes in Bangalore city.

Water bodies in the city are slowly diminishing leaving behind just the reminiscences of a well planned network of tanks and lakes during Kempegowda’s time.

Although there are many resident associations that are striving towards the restoration of many a lake, there is no proper support or encouragement from the government.

Read the full article online here.

Extract about PNLIT

From drab to fab!

From a few pond herons and egrets to over 55 species of birds, Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) has come a long way in restoring the once degraded Puttenahalli Lake.

Speaking about the state of Puttenahalli lake earlier, Usha Rajagopalan, chairperson of PNLIT said, “The lake was once used as a dumping ground for all sorts of debris and trash resulting in the shrinking of the water body and the birds were forced to move out. The lake got a new lease of life, so did the aquatic and avian life it supports. As and when a new bird is spotted and identified, we sent out a ‘Bird Watch Update’ to our members and neighbouring communities. Today, at any time, a visitor will get to see about 10 species. If they have keen eyes, they can even spot small ones like the Ashy Prinia or a Red-whiskered Bulbul.”

Members of PNLIT believe that lakes are not the sole responsibility of the civic administration.

Usha added, “With the Government doing the actual rejuvenation, we, the people, should lend our support too. Only then, will it be possible to give a new life to the lakes of Bangalore and in turn, avert the looming water crisis in the city.”