Decision Maker: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)
Demands:
We demand resuming the rejuvenation of the Hosakerehalli lake by taking the following measures:
Fence the Hosekerhalli lake to prevent dumping of garbage until the waterbody is rejuvenated.
Concretize the path around the lake as it has been dug up and fill up the potholes for safe access to the periphery of the lake.
Complete the construction of the retaining wall around the lake.
Start desilting the lake as soon as the lake is rejuvenated.
Devise mechanisms to divert the stormwater elsewhere to prevent flooding.
What’s the issue?
One of the oldest water bodies of namma city, Hosakerehalli Lake was a major source of water nourishing all forms of living beings. It was also a biodiversity hotspot attracting myriad migratory species of birds.
What happened to it? Spread across 59.26 acres, the then pristine lake is nearly non-existent. It has been turned into a dumping yard that cradles reeking sewage and litter. Strewn with garbage on all sides of the vast banks and filled with hyacinth in the bosom, Hosakerehalli Lake is now choking.
In an attempt to change this, an active group of residents called ‘Citizens for Hosakerehalli Lake’ and Jhatkaa.org organized a string of clean-up drives between October 2021 and October 2022. To bring further attention to the issue, the Citizens of Hosakerehalli Lake group and Jhatkaa.org also highlighted the problems arising due to the polluted lake with the Zonal Commissioner during a ward committee meeting in September 2022.
Taking this into account, in March 2023, the BBMP began the restoration process of the lake in the Kerekodi area, Rajarajeshwari Nagar. However, the work came to a grinding halt in May with the monsoon season and hasn’t resumed ever since.
BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer (Lakes Department) mentioned that the BBMP plans to allocate Rs 14 crore for the restoration process which will include de-weeding and desilting, concretization and widening of the mud road, extraction and removal of garbage, and fencing the boundary. However, no timelines have been put in place yet. [1]
The heaps of garbage strewn around the lake attract a scourge of mosquitoes Additionally, the garbage dumps put the health of residents, especially the senior citizens and the children, at risk and pollute the surrounding atmosphere.
During monsoon, sewage from storm water drains into the lake unrestrictedly. This results in flooding of toxic drainage in the nearby areas, almost inundating homes of those dependent on the lake for their livelihood.
Rejuvenation of Hosakerehalli lake will facilitate clean air for the surrounding residents, enrich the local biodiversity in the process and revive the health of the environment.
What can you do?
Sign the petition and share it within your networks to urge the BBMP to take prompt and concrete action to resume the rejuvenation of the Hosakerehalli Lake without further delay.
Sources:
https://thesoftcopy.in/2023/10/26/hosakerehalli-lakes-restoration-paused-since-may/
Also, you can make a contribution of your choice to support our work. Any amount, no matter how small, goes a long way in keeping up our efforts for a sustainable Bengaluru. Support us now.
Decision Maker: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)
Demands:
We demand resuming the rejuvenation of the Hosakerehalli lake by taking the following measures:
Fence the Hosekerhalli lake to prevent dumping of garbage until the waterbody is rejuvenated.
Concretize the path around the lake as it has been dug up and fill up the potholes for safe access to the periphery of the lake.
Complete the construction of the retaining wall around the lake.
Start desilting the lake as soon as the lake is rejuvenated.
Devise mechanisms to divert the stormwater elsewhere to prevent flooding.
What’s the issue?
One of the oldest water bodies of namma city, Hosakerehalli Lake was a major source of water nourishing all forms of living beings. It was also a biodiversity hotspot attracting myriad migratory species of birds.
What happened to it? Spread across 59.26 acres, the then pristine lake is nearly non-existent. It has been turned into a dumping yard that cradles reeking sewage and litter. Strewn with garbage on all sides of the vast banks and filled with hyacinth in the bosom, Hosakerehalli Lake is now choking.
In an attempt to change this, an active group of residents called ‘Citizens for Hosakerehalli Lake’ and Jhatkaa.org organized a string of clean-up drives between October 2021 and October 2022. To bring further attention to the issue, the Citizens of Hosakerehalli Lake group and Jhatkaa.org also highlighted the problems arising due to the polluted lake with the Zonal Commissioner during a ward committee meeting in September 2022.
Taking this into account, in March 2023, the BBMP began the restoration process of the lake in the Kerekodi area, Rajarajeshwari Nagar. However, the work came to a grinding halt in May with the monsoon season and hasn’t resumed ever since.
BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer (Lakes Department) mentioned that the BBMP plans to allocate Rs 14 crore for the restoration process which will include de-weeding and desilting, concretization and widening of the mud road, extraction and removal of garbage, and fencing the boundary. However, no timelines have been put in place yet. [1]
The heaps of garbage strewn around the lake attract a scourge of mosquitoes Additionally, the garbage dumps put the health of residents, especially the senior citizens and the children, at risk and pollute the surrounding atmosphere.
During monsoon, sewage from storm water drains into the lake unrestrictedly. This results in flooding of toxic drainage in the nearby areas, almost inundating homes of those dependent on the lake for their livelihood.
Rejuvenation of Hosakerehalli lake will facilitate clean air for the surrounding residents, enrich the local biodiversity in the process and revive the health of the environment.
What can you do?
Sign the petition and share it within your networks to urge the BBMP to take prompt and concrete action to resume the rejuvenation of the Hosakerehalli Lake without further delay.
Sources:
https://thesoftcopy.in/2023/10/26/hosakerehalli-lakes-restoration-paused-since-may/
Also, you can make a contribution of your choice to support our work. Any amount, no matter how small, goes a long way in keeping up our efforts for a sustainable Bengaluru. Support us now.
Thank you for signing the petition to urge BBMP to rejuvenate Hosakerehalli lake! The rejuvenation process which started with much enthusiasm in March 2023 was halted abruptly during the monsoons. It’s time that the work is resumed and the lake is brought to its original glory.
The more people are behind an issue - the more likely it is that the BBMP will pay attention. Each name that is added to a campaign takes it one step closer to succeeding.
Thanks for all that you do,
The Jhatkaa.org team
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