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Kasturi Nagar residents unite to revive lake in neglect for 50 years

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Bengaluru’s Kasturi Nagar unites to revive lake in neglect for 50 years

Saddened by the neglect of a waterbody by the authorities of Bengaluru, a few residents have joined hands and embarked on a mission to revive B. Channasandra Lake at Kasturinagar in Banaswadi.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu

B. Channasandra (1) lake, also known as Kasturi Nagar lake, in Bengaluru.

B. Channasandra (1) lake, also known as Kasturi Nagar lake, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
Ravichandran

Saddened by the neglect of a waterbody by the authorities of Bengaluru, a few residents have joined hands and embarked on a mission to revive B. Channasandra Lake (1) at Kasturinagar in Banaswadi.  The lake, which has remained unused for nearly half a century, is finally set to spring back to life.

Torn into fragments in 1978 and 1981 for a railway project and then a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) layout, the lake shrunk from 19.17 acres to 6.2 acres. The water inlet was shut off by the railways to lay the track, and a portion was acquired by the BDA to develop a layout. Having changed hands between government agencies and now with the Forest Department on document, for several years the site has remained a no man’s land.

The residents of Kasturinagar, during their routine strolls through the site, saw piles of garbage and construction debris. On several occasions, they were forced to cover their noses to avoid the smoke emanating due to the burning of garbage. Instead of relying on the government to fix the problem, the residents, under the umbrella of the Kasturinagar Welfare Association (KWA), resolved to revive the lake, which was dying a slow death.

Monthly contribution 

Abhijith N.S, a resident, told The Hindu that from July 2024 about 50 residents began contributing ₹1,000 per month towards rejuvenating the lake. The association has so far collected ₹7.5 lakh. “About ₹2 lakh was spent on desilting, removing debris, and building a walking path. About ₹4 lakh was spent on fencing. We are using precast technology to fence the lake. The fencing work is currently under way,” he said.

A fence made of precast technology being put up at the rejuvenated Channasandra (1) lake, also popularly known as Kasturi Nagar lake in Bengaluru.

A fence made of precast technology being put up at the rejuvenated Channasandra (1) lake, also popularly known as Kasturi Nagar lake in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
N. Ravichandran

Residents volunteered to clean garbage dumped at the site, besides planting saplings. Every day, the residents water the plants. In 2010, the lake was handed over by the Forest Department to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Within a few months, the BBMP handed over the lake to the BDA.

In 2019, the lake was returned to the BBMP. However, the BBMP refused to take possession of the lake, as its size had reduced. According to BBMP’s records, the size of the lake was 20 acre.

In the RTC, the title of the land is with the Forest Department. The residents secured a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department to carry out revamping activities.

NGO’s help

Ramanath Rao, Executive Director of the KWA, said, “Seeing the efforts of the residents, Hands on CSR, a not-for-profit organisation, is extending a helping hand. The NGO has decided to provide ₹20 lakh, routing the CSR funds of a private company Conseillers en gestion et informatique (CGI).

One of the two outlets for flood mitigation at the rejuvenated Channasandra (1) lake, also popularly known as Kasturi Nagar lake in Bengaluru.

One of the two outlets for flood mitigation at the rejuvenated Channasandra (1) lake, also popularly known as Kasturi Nagar lake in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
N. RAVICHANDRAN

Mr. Rao said the lake will have two outlets for flood mitigation, solar street lights along a walking path, three mini forests on the east, south, and southeast sides, and a Miyawaki forest on the west. A viewing deck will be built where visitors can get a panoramic view of the waterbody.

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