The Horamavu area (BBMP Ward 25) in the north eastern part of Bangalore is dotted with several lakes. As is the case with most of Bangalore’s lakes, they are subjected to dumping of debris and garbage, sewage and encroachment.
Saddened by the plight of these lakes, some residents of the area have taken it on themselves to try to save them. They got together a few days ago, evaluated the state of the lakes and decided to focus on the two larger lakes for now – Horamavu Agara Lake and Jayanthinagar (Horamavu) Lake. To spread awareness about the status of the lakes, they have created a Save Horamavu Lakes Google Group and Facebook page. They can also be reached by email save.horamavu.lakes@gmail.com or phone 9900569955 (Ted K Dass).
Pic: Save Horamavu Lakes group
Horamavu-Agara Lake is said to be about 51 acres, but presently there is not much water in it. The lake has been fenced but the fencing has been breached in places and people have started using the lake as a dumping yard.
This youtube video shows the rampant dumping, and one can hear the chirping of the birds (crying out for help?) amidst the din of traffic.
Jayanthinagar Lake is smaller, about 37 acres, and currently facing extensive dumping. Residents of the area have reported that the pace of dumping is so high that in 15 days, it has resulted in a huge pile covering about “10,000 sq ft area with a height of about 17 feet (10 under water and 7 above water)”. Tractors, they say, have been working on this job from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
This youtube video taken at the lake shows about a week’s worth of dumping.
The issue of dumping at Jayanthinagar (Horamavu) Lake was reported to the Lake Development Authority (LDA) on 28th Jun 2013. However, according to the publicised lake list, this lake, like the Horamavu Agara Lake, seems to be under the jurisdiction of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). Apart from contacting the BDA, the group is now exploring other options that will stop the dumping and save the lake.
If you’re concerned about the lakes of Horamavu and would like to join in the efforts to save them, do get in touch with the group.