Immediate Measures - Agara Lake

Agara Lake was once a hub for many early morning walkers/joggers across HSR Layout, Venkatapura, Jakkasandra, Koramangala and Iblur etc, today it is not more than a garbage dumping yard, source of many anti-social activities and a public toilet for construction workers and laborers. Over the past few years Agara Lake has been consistently neglected leading to a very sad current state of the lake.

It is to be noted that post the landmark judgment and cancellation of PPP lease in Feb 2012, lake was handed over to Lake Development Authority (LDA), and there has been no plan-of-action or any visible lake development or maintenance works has been undertaken by the LDA.

Some immediate measures: 

Harvesting & Clearance: The meteorological department has predicted a good monsoon this year, there is a great opportunity that can be put to use to collect and conserve rain water this year. The lake surrounding has been turned into garbage dumping yard, blocking several rain water inlet points to the lake from the surrounding areas/roads. Unless there is a firm action on the clearance of blockage to the lake inlets this year will also end up as another precious opportunity wasted.

ORR and Jakkasandra road alongside the lake fence has debris and garbage that needs immediate clearance. 

The other side (Agara-Koramangala road) has weeds and unwanted plants that are damaging the fencing also have to be removed.
Blockages in the rain water inlets to the lake have to be cleared.
Clearance of floating garbage/plastic in the lake waters.
Removal of garbage inside the fenced area.
Clearance of debris/garbage in the lake main entrance.
Firm action against dumping of debris/garbage with immediate effect.

Lake Capacity: The Lake that was about 200 acres has been reduced to less than 100 areas due to constant encroachment-regularization of road works, there needs to be concrete plan and a firm action to stop this encroachment-regularization and to build the lake capacity.

The storm/ rain water catchment areas that could be a single largest source of water inflow for the lake needs a review.

Action against inlet of sewage water into the storm water drains that reaches the lake area.

De-silting, clearing the weeds, extending the lake bed could increase the lake capacity by 25%.

Implementation of treatment plant that can better the quality of water entering the lake.

Increase the number of rainwater inlets from the roads around the lake.

Security: Over the last few years the fencing around the lake is in shambles. Illegal dumping of the debris from various construction sites and garbage has destroyed the fencing in several stretches leaving it open to anti-social elements occupying the lake area to run their illegal activities.

There is an urgent need to repair the fencing around the lake and to increase the height of the fencing.

Limit the entry points to access the lake area to only two, also keep the gates locked between 8 pm and 5 am.

Appoint security personals to monitor the entry and exist of the visitors.

Ban entry to construction workers and laborers from using lake area as lavatory.

Strict ban on all illegal and anti-social activities.

Fishing activities should be licensed and monitored.

Police patrol at least once during the evening/night hours.

Beautification: The area surrounding the lake (inside the fence) has a lot of opportunity for tree plantation and to develop gardens, this work can be put into action immediately while making use of good rains that are predicted.

Benches for the visitor/walkers/joggers around the lake and in the garden area.

Flattening of the track around the lake, making to more walker/jogger friendly.

Sufficient lights during evening hours.

Introduction of more fishes into the lake.

Creating zones that can attract birds.

Dustbin around the lake.

Compost plant that can use the dry leaves to convert to manure and utilized for the garden.

-Kavitha Reddy

Agara Lake Memorandum

To,

The CEO

Lake Development Authority

Bangalore - 560001 

Subject: Agara Lake Revival & Restoration

Dear Sir,

Agara Lake was once the pristine lakes in Bangalore, located in Sarjapura ring road between Koramangala & HSR Layout the lake was scenic spot for residents of HSR Layout. It is spread over 39.58 hectares of greenery and water with a shore length of 2.1 kms.

In 2004, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), together with the Forest Department, restored the lake by developing greenery and joggers track protected with a fence around it. Following these measures the lake attract a variety of birds, like water fowls, coots, purple moorhens, grey herons, egrets, kites and kingfishers make it valuable lung space that many area residents cherish.

More than 1000 residents with families used to visit the lake garden from the surrounding area HSR Layout, Koramangala, Jakkasandra, Agara & Iblur to enjoy environs of the lake. But this didn’t last long, lack of basic maintenance, uncontrolled access & security has today resulted in heaps of debris dumped around, broken fence, reeking water, unkempt garden, tons of garbage, floating plastic.

Many concerned Citizen and Environment groups worked relentlessly, gathering support, meeting authorities and demanding action but got nothing more than a list of excuses, with no plan-of-action or timeline to fix the deteriorating situation of the lake.

Post the landmark judgment and cancellation of PPP lease in Feb 2012, lake was handed over to Lake Development Authority, very little rather nothing has been done since then.

We residents in eco foot print being the primary stakeholders of the lake are extremely concerned at the present situation of the lake and request the Lake Development Authority to swing into action and under take drastic measures to restore the lake.

The following are some of our observations and suggestion for restoring the past glory of our Agara Lake:

1. Formation of Joint Committee multi stakeholders related government departments RWA’s, NGO’s, Expert groups, Eminent local personalities for development of Action Plan for restoration of the lake.

2. Formation of Core Committee involving the community to examine and prepare a proposal to submit to the Government. The Core Committee shall also review and monitor the implementation of the required measures.

3. Conduct community consultation exercise and discuss the restoration plans, financial options for resorting the lake including and operation and management aspects of the lake.

4. Prioritize the restoration plans activity wise and explore convergence of schemes under related Govt departments for undertaking immediate measures for initiating restoration.

5. Initiate the options of inviting participation of corporate houses under their Corporate Social Responsibility program to part the financial requirements for restoration or management.

6. Involve Community in Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Management of the lake.

As primary stakeholders our agenda is to save the lake from deteriorating any further and to put to use a great source of water body that could recharge the depleting underground water tables for common good. The lake is indeed a land mark and we wish to save the lake and the greenery that is much needed in an already concrete jungle.

We are submitting this memorandum in full faith that you will take cognizance of all the above points mentioned and will act upon without any delay.

Looking forward to hearing from you at the earliest.

Thanking you,

Warm Regards,

Kavitha Reddy                                                                  Venugopal Reddy

Social & Environmental Activist                                  Environmentalist & Urban Planning Consultant

Find enclosed: Photos of the Agara Lake taken on 19thMay 2013 in the morning hours

CC: 1. Honorable Chief Minister Govt of Karnataka, cm@kar.nic.in

      2. Commissioner BBMP, H.Siddaiah IAS, comm@bbmp.gov.in