The Lakes of Bangalore – from Then to Now

Did you know that Bangalore, along with Mysore, was once home to over a thousand lakes? Since the 16th century, the credited founder of the city Kempe Gowda and the rulers that succeeded him constructed several reservoirs across Bangalore. These reservoirs, called kere (tanks) in Kannada collected water via rainwater harvesting, to make the precious resource available for the population.

Why?

This was because Bangalore doesn’t have any natural source of water except for rainwater and groundwater. It was up to the people to create and sustain their source of freshwater. As time passed, alternative sources of water made their way into Bangalore – borewells and the ‘Cauvery’ connection. Still, the lakes of Bangalore were just as important as they were many years ago because they were the centres around which communities and localities grew and settled.

lakes of Bangalore
The many lakes of 1930s Bangalore. Image credit: Ground Truth

In the 60s, the number of lakes dropped to 280. In the 90s, it took a plunge to 80. Fast-forward to today and the lakes in the city barely cross 30.

You may ask – ‘Bob, what happened to our lakes?’

Well, macha, here’s what happened.

An ever-expanding population left little land up for grabs, and many lakes were drained, filled and used for development. Sampangi Lake is now Kanteerava Stadium, while Shoolay Lake became the football stadium in Richmond Town. Challghatta Lake became the Karnataka Golf Association and Domlur Lake became the area’s BDA Layout. Majestic Bus Station, now Kempegowda Bus Station, is built over the drained Dharmanbudhi Lake. Guru Nanak Bhavan is where Miller’s Tank once was. Koramangala Lake was converted into National Games Village, whereas Puttenahalli Lake became J.P Nagar 6th Phase.

lakes of Bangalore
The lake that became a stadium – Sampangi Lake

The city of lakes became a city built on lakes.

Those that were spared by development, succumbed to pollution. Bellandur Lake, Bangalore’s largest, is known for its foamy surface that catches fire a few times each year, thanks to industrial effluents and raw sewage dumped into it. Mahadevapura Lake, Horamavu-Agara Lake, and Kundalahalli Lake are just a few among others that have become dumping grounds for garbage and untreated waste.

Snowing in Bangalore? No, it’s foam from Bellandur Lake. Image credit: Getty Images

But all is not lost, for you see, the citizens of Bangalore are good at putting a scene, and in this case, it was in pursuit of the preservation and restoration of the lakes of Bangalore. Several citizen-led groups such as Friends of Lakes Bangalore sprung up for this very purpose, and to work closely with government bodies on lake conservation. Residents who live around lakes, and more importantly people whose livelihoods depend on lakes, are becoming lake custodians to protect these water bodies.

lakes of Bangalore
Jakkur Lake’s revival is a prime example of the good that comes from local-driven initiatives working closely with local government bodies. Image credits: Prashant NS

One of the best ways to drive awareness and preservation of the lakes in Bangalore is to visit them. And no, lakes are not just for the bored and the boring! Are you a bird-watcher, novice or experienced? Then head to BTM Layout’s Madiwala Lake or Hebbal Lake up north to spot migratory birds. Care for a stroll in a beautiful lake-front garden? Nagavara Lake is just for you, complete with a musical fountain, boat rides, an amusement park and even a floating restaurant! For that old Bangalore charm, join joggers and morning walkers of all ages at Sankey Tank. The Lalbagh Lake will have you wondering how time flew by, as you spend hours by tranquil waters, surrounded by trees that are over a century old. For the offbeat traveller, Avathi Lake enroute Nandi Hills is just for you. And if you’re looking for an all-rounder, head to the 16th-century Ulsoor Lake – a fitness enthusiast’s paradise, a bird-watcher’s delight, a foodie’s one-stop destination and a worshipper’s haven.

lakes of Bangalore
Ulsoor Lake. Image credits: Nadir Hashmi

Other lakes in Bangalore also command equal awe, such as Agara Lake, Hesaraghatta Lake, Kaikondrahalli Lake, the remaining Puttenahalli Lake and Yediyur Lake.

So, what say? Do we dare to make Bangalore the city of lakes it once was?

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