Even as the large water bodies in the city struggle to keep encroachments at bay, the smaller ponds and kalyanis that have been nameless but have been part of the city’s water systems historically are losing the battle.

One such nameless pond that maybe lost to encroachment is situated near the Don Bosco College at Mysore Road.  While the encroachment (as we have seen it) measures about 40 X 20 meters, the kalyani is about 6 to 8 times bigger. It abets the rear compound wall of the educational institution and the water body has a cemetery near by which acts as a resting place for those from the three nearby villages – Ramohalli, Gerepalya and Kumbalgodu. The pond was perhaps part of the religious ablution processes that are part of the Hindu death rituals.

Right next to the Don Bosco College, a private road which is about 10 feet wide between Sudharshana Vidyapeeta and RDC concrete (both situated on Mysore road) from the main road leads to the rear wall of the compound wall and provides access to the graveyard, the pond and Nalapad farms and nurseries. We have seen and documented encroachment near the rear gate of the college from 2016. It also seems that the Nalapad Farms has encroached a portion of the cemetery itself.

It will seem like a small nameless waterbody is not worth the effort. But in times like this, where every drop of water needs to saved and safe guarded , we can’t afford to look away.