Must-visit Lakes in Bangalore

Garden city of Bangalore is an ideal place to enjoy the nature at its best. Bangalore is famous for its elegant lakes and gardens as well as the magnificent IT Parks that are now the lifeline of the city. The lakes in Bangalore have always attracted the crowd with its peaceful ambiance and the bird life. Everyone comes to the lake to escape from the busy city life and fall in love with nature.

Here are few lakes in Bangalore that are a popular spot for visitors:

Ulsoor Lake: This one of the most elegant iconic lakes in Bangalore and is popular among the tourists with its splendid view and space amidst the busy city. Located in a posh locality the lake has many visitors. Boating facilities are provided in the lake too where the visitors can enjoy a boat ride and enjoy the marvelous beauty of nature. Read More

Hebbal Lake: The Lake is in the north Bangalore, one of the three lakes built by Kempe Gowda and is spread across 150 acres. The bird is perfect for morning and evening walks. The lakeside is excellent and perfect to watch out for birds. The lake has lotuses and many birds visiting the lake which is ideal for a soothing walk around the lake.  The lake has a great inflow of sewage which is polluting the waters. Read More

Agara Lake: From HSR towards Agara lies is the Agara Lake, one of the best lakes in Bangalore. It offers a splendid view to cherish. Usually one can spot many joggers and walkers in the park early morning and evening. The lake is not much maintained but look fabulous when it’s nightfall.Read More

Madiwala Lake: Close to BTM, slightly away from the busy traffic close to Madiwala is the Madiwala Lake. Most of the houses from the BTM near the lake overlook to the Madiwala Lake, a pleasant view to catch up with amidst the busy streets of the city. This is one of the must-vist lakes in Banglore and has small clusters of islands that are truly eye-catching and stunning. The lake also facilitates boating. Read More

Lalbagh Lake: The incredible and spectacular city of Bangalore hosts the largest flower show in the gardens of Lal Bagh which is at the center of the city. The Lalbagh is not just gardens but also a marvelous lake bordering the gardens. The amazing garden and the lake are indeed a refreshing sight.Read More

Varthur Lake:  Varthur Lake is an artificial lake or tank built to balance of the eco-system in Bangalore as all other similar tanks. The tanks are supposed to be the end of all the sewage and waste water from the respective areas of the city. The lake is still splendid to visit even though parts of the lake are polluted.  It is said that the lake was built around 100 years back to support agricultural needs.

Hesaraghatta Lake:  The Lake was built in 1894 to meet the drinking water needs of the people across the Arkavathy River in northwest Bangalore. The lake is home to many birds especially migratory ones. One can spot white-breasted Kingfisher, black Drongos, Magpie Robin etc. on the lake. Even if the lake is getting dried up, the lake is an ideal spot to get a glimpse of the avian life. Read More

Kengeri Lake:  Located on the Mysore road is the Doddakare lake or the Kengeri lake. The lake has small islands that are covered in greenery adding an impressive look to the lake. The lake also has small boating services. The lake is truly rejuvenating and refreshing with area spread over25 acre land which is properly fenced and maintained.

Sankey Tank:  Sankey Tank is an artificial tank built over 37 acres of land in Malleshwaram. The lake is maintained well and has a great flow of visitor’s morning and evenings. The lake also has a park that is perfect for kids to chill out. Read More

Kaikondrahalli Lake: An untouched lake located in Sarjapur is well-maintained and visited by many for walks. As all other lakes, the lake is an ideal spot for birdwatching.

Nagawara Lake:  Nagavara Lake is near Hebbal and is taken up on lease by the Lumbini gardens.  There is a major flow of guests coming to visit the lake and there are water-sports to entertain the guests.Read More

Chinnapanahalli Lake: A lake located near AECS layout and maintained well by the BBMP with ample play area for kids and ideal for elderly people to take a walk around the lake. The lake has plentiful pomegranate and bamboo trees. There are apartments overlooking the lake and the park.

Lake Protection and Management Plan for City

The Forest department has come up with a plan to secure and develop the lakes in the city. The action plan covers 57 lakes presently and has been drawn up to the years 2008 to 2011.

Integrated development of the lake includes removal of silt, improvement of water holding capacity, strengthening the bund, removing encroachments, providing fencing, creating a jogging path all around the lake, recreation facilities like a small garden, planting in the forest shore area, creating islands for birds to breed, providing boating facility if possible.

Tanks developed by Forest Department

• Uramudinakere tank
• Hennur tank
• Iblur tank
• Kurubarahalli tank
• Madivala tank
• Narsipura tank
• Tindlu tank
• Janardhanakere tank

According to the plan dried tanks will be converted into tree parks. It has been proposed to take up foreshore planting over 300 hectares in the year 2009. 200 hectares in 2009-2010 and 100 hectares in 2010-2011. The cost of foreshore planting for one hectare costs Rs 60 thousand.

They also have a plan which includes:

• Documentation of status of lakes
• Boundary demarcation – this will include conducting a survey of the lakes, fixing of name boards and fencing
• Encroachment identification and eviction
• Protection by having watch and ward
• Diversion of sewage and cleaning
• Integrated development

Also see

Parks, Vineyards and Lakes in Bangalore

• Unite for Lakes, Save Bengaluru
• Parks in Bangalore
• Forests near Bangalore
• Places near Bangalore
• Vineyards in Bangalore
• About Bangalore