City Pulse

When you gaze at the pristine Hebbal Lake in Bengaluru, it would be hard for you to imagine that just 20 years back, standing at the same spot you would have stared into a large dump yard. However, the turnaround was possible only because of a handful of citizens, who believed that humans can restore what they have taken away.

It was the year 1993, T Vidyadhar who had retired as DGM at HMT took over as the President of HMT Layout RWA. Unlike many, who believe retirement is rest after a lifetime of hard work, Vidyadhar was just the opposite. A person who cannot digest apathy, he was deeply disturbed when he saw the Hebbal Lake, a victim of Bengaluru’s development spurt and concretization.

“There was no water. It was just water hyacinth. One could see garbage and pollutants floating in it. The biodiversity was badly affected. There were neither fish in the water nor birds swarming around,” he says.

Vidyadhar wanted to save the lake and worked towards its rejuvenation through Thoreau Foundation. But, cleaning the 160 acre water-body choking with garbage seemed impossible to achieve. Yet, Thoreau Foundation started networking, approaching civic agency officials with hopes that they can get support to give the lake a new lease of life.

HELPA

In the year 1999, Hebbal Lake and Park Association (HELPA) was formed under the aegis of Thoreau Foundation. It was headed by then BBMP Commissioner Dr Ravindra and had people from different walks of life, such as RWA members, residents of Hebbal, officers, activists etc. “We all came together with one aim. Reviving Hebbal Lake,” says Vidyadhar.

While the plan for revival was being sketched, shortage of funds to take up the rejuvenation became a problem. In a timely coincidence, Hebbal Lake was one of the three lakes in Bengaluru selected for the Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme (INEP) and was awarded Rs 2 crore by the Norwegian government which kick-started the rejuvenation.

The plan and process for rejuvenation

HELPA drafted a plan, which was implemented with the help of Forest Department. First, there was a need to stop the sewage inflow into the lake. Hence, every sewage entry point into the Lake was tracked and diverted, to bypass the sewage inflow on a temporary basis. Storm water drain was formed for the flow of excess water.

Next, garbage and tonnes of plastic dumped in the lake was cleared and the lake was desilted. Wet land was created to absorb most undesirable materials before water flows into the lake. Hydrophytic plants were planted in wetland to further purify the water.

The lake desilting process started in 2000 and went on for three years and sludge which had accumulated in the Lake for over 4 decades was cleared.

Three bird islands were created, a walkway around the lake was constructed and a fence was installed to protect it from people who dump garbage.

“There was a lot of citizen effort. Numerous citizen drives were held, and many have contributed in cleaning up the lake,” says Vidyadhar.

“After a decade, the rejuvenation was visible. However, the happiest moment was when the migratory birds returned. The biodiversity around the lake was restored and Bengalureans got another beautiful lung space where they could relax,” he adds.

Hebbal Lake’s revival led to the ground water being charged and bore-wells in a radius of four kilometer around the lake had plenty of water.

Lake leased to hotel 

While HELPA was still in the celebratory mood of the achievement, the government’s decision came as a shock. 

“One fine day, we were told that the lake will be taken over by the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority and will be leased to a hotel for maintenance. We were apprehensive. We did not want all the efforts to go a waste. We were not even consulted,” recalls Vidyadhar, adding that the decision was announced in a meeting and HELPA members were given bouquets which they refused to accept. 

“It was a government order and there was nothing we could do about it and hence we decided to accept it. We had a meeting with the hotel authorities and placed our demands and they agreed to all of them,” he says. 

Vidyadhar adds that the hotel had plans to increase the entry fee to the lake and also introduce a floating hotel which was vehemently opposed, and they agreed to the terms. 

Meanwhile, a few environmentalists approached Court against the government order and Vidyadhar feels it was an unnecessary step as it would lead to a stay order stalling all progressive work. 

“As the matter went to court, even the hotel management became apprehensive to implement developmental work. They did not harm the lake in anyway but neither did they bring about major development,” he says. 

HELPA was dissolved in 2006. Vidyadhar now 78-years-old continues his civic activism, never shy to raise his voice against civic apathy. He was one of the signatories in the ‘Steel flyover Beda’ campaign. He also received the Civil Defence award from the Karnataka Chief Minister in 2016. 

Today, the pristine lake is the favorite spot for joggers, environmentalists and ornithologists. A portion of the walkway has been blocked to avoid couples who behave indecently, says Vidyadhar. 

While there are differences and issues regarding its maintenance, the Hebbal Lake is still a witness to one of the biggest citizen activism movements, inspiring many ‘Save Lakes campaigns’ in Bengaluru. Today, hundreds of citizen activists are working to restore Bengaluru’s glory and make it known once again as the ‘land of thousand lakes’.