Bellandur Lake is one of the largest lakes that exist in Bangalore today. The lake is spread over a huge area of 950 acres of land. It is located in the south-eastern part of the city, off the Outer Ring Road. The lake was once a nice recreational spot for the local people. It was frequently used for the purpose of swimming and other leisure activities. The water from the lake was also used for agricultural purposes.
However, over a period of time the lake was subjected to deep pollution. It started receiving a large portion of Bangalore’s sewage too. With time, the beauty and the utility of the lake got diminished due to the increasing pollution.
History of the Bellandur Lake, Bangalore
The Bellandur Lake is an old water body of the city. It was a prominent catchment lake in the days when Bangalore had not yet developed into a city. It was a lake full of clear water and the surrounding area was covered in greenery. As a result, the lake was full of indigenous wildlife that thrived near it. Several varieties of birds like pigeons, kites, parrots, parakeets, kingfishers, etc. were frequently sighted near the lake then.
The place was also home to several other wildlife species like monster lizards, king cobras, rat snakes and many varieties of fish. However, the development of the area proved to be a bane for the lake and it lost its beauty as well as the wildlife thriving near it.
Present state of the Bellandur Lake, Bangalore
The prominent lake of yester years is in a sad state these days. Three decades of unplanned urbanisation has hit the lake hard and robbed it of its beauty. The lake is now devoid of most of the species of wildlife and aquatic beings that had once made it their home. The parrots, parakeets, kingfishers, etc. are rarely sighted near the lake. As the rapid urbanization increases and sewage and polluted water pass unchecked into the lake, the water body is slowly progressing towards its death.
Impact of urbanization on the Bellandur Lake, Bangalore
The main impact of urbanization on the lake has been the conversion of watershed area of the water body into commercial and residential layouts. This resulted in the shift of the hydrological regime which enhanced the silt movement on the lake. The lake has been receiving a major part of the city’s untreated sewage that is destroying the ecological balance of the huge water body.
Even the area surrounding the lake is used as a dumping ground by builders and the people residing in the housing societies of the area. The nearby industrial units use the lake as an easy place for dumping chemicals. With so many pollutants entering the water body, it is bound to be affected in a major way.
Conservation Efforts at the Bellandur Lake, Bangalore
The Government of Karnataka has attempted to take positive steps several times in order to save the lake. The citizens are also actively participating in the movement to protect the lake. The citizens have taken it upon themselves to carry out plantation drives and clean up programs around the lake at regular intervals.
The lake got a new fencing in 2010 from BBMP. But the main pro0blems of the lake are far from over as sewage treatment plants and small industries continue to dump their wastes into the lake. Till such activities are completely stopped there is very little hope of complete restoration of the lake.
How to reach the Bellandur Lake, Bangalore
Bangalore is a city that can be reached through various modes of transport from all parts of the country. The city has various flights and trains that carry passengers from all other parts of the country to the city. Buses are available to reach the city from the nearby states and cities.
The Bellandur Lake is well connected to most parts of Bangalore. There are several buses available from Majestic and Market bus stands to reach the lake.
The lake can also be reached by auto rickshaws and taxis.
The Bangalore Central Station is the closest railway station to reach the lake.
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