Water every other day: Bengaluru is drying up & destruction of lakes is the reason

The gardens of Bengaluru, also known as ‘garden city’, may soon wilt while its citizens wait for water to trickle out of taps. The city is facing the worst domestic water crisis in history. 

Over 30 localities inside the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will receive water on a rotational basis every alternate day, the residents have been informed. That means, each locality will have to manage without water supply for 24 hours at least. And even on the days a locality does receive water, it won’t be for longer than 30-45 minutes. This is particularly concerning as summer has already arrived in the city, and there are at least 75-90 days of peak summer ahead. 

While narratives and theories doing the rounds indicate many things, including the alleged highhandedness of the water tanker lobby in the city, scientists point out the phenomenal neglect of the city’s water bodies and the total absence of conservation.

The city, up until 1961, had 262 lakes, and the last count taken by the city’s environmentalists indicates that there are only 81 left. The rest have been claimed by the real estate business for making housing layouts; the Bengaluru Development Authority and BBMP have been held responsible for levelling over 100 lakes directly and indirectly. 

Out of the 81 lakes that are identified as ‘as lakes,’ only 33 are living just because they are located in zones where land cannot be reclaimed for any activities. 

The Dharmambudhi Lake, developed by the rulers of Bengaluru, the Hoysalas, Wodeyars and Kempegowda, for more than 500 years of known history, was the first to go in as early as 1969. It was filled up to hold consumer fairs organised by a political party. Later, it became the Kempegowda interstate bus terminus. 

These lakes perished mainly due to real estate development, mining and infrastructure. However, due to the whistle-blowers of the city, some of the lakes were saved, including Nagavara, Halasuru and Hebbal, the largest among the 32 lakes classified as ‘living lakes’. 

The city is now dependent only on the augmented water source at the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir in Srirangapatna, built across River Cauvery, which is about 125 kilometres from the city. However, due to a lax southwestern monsoon in 2023, the Cauvery catchment area did not get enough rain and, consequently, the KRS reservoir got only 75 per cent of its usual inflow.

Even as the citizens are holding demonstrations, the tanker water prices have plummeted to Rs 2,000 for a 12,000 litre tanker, which was just Rs 800-1,000 a fortnight ago. “We have a hunch that the government is playing a big game with us. First, the politicians will make deals with the tanker lobbyists and then direct the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials to tune down the water availability to nil for days together so that they approach the tanker business owners. We have spent lakhs of rupees on the water in the last three months ever since our taps ran dry in November,” said Hanumanthappa, the resident association leader of Jaimaruthi Nagar extension in Bengaluru South. 

Dasarahalli and Rajarajeshwari Nagar zones in North Bengaluru are the worst affected. “Even though all six stages of the Cauvery pipeline corridor pass through our area just across the Bengaluru Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor, still our areas do not get water regularly. In the far end of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, tap water supply stopped in November 2023 and all dug wells and borewells have also gone dry. We are entirely dependent on the tanker water services,” said resident association office bearer Ramachandrappa. 

Bengauru is located at 920 metres above sea level, directing the natural flow of water away from the city and into surrounding valleys. The city receives an average of 920 millimetres of rainfall spread over 60 rainy days annually, nourishing two river basins, the Cauvery and Dakshina Pinakini. 

With over 200 lakes and tanks, Bengaluru's landscape faces the challenge of diminishing open wells, urging the need for preservation efforts. Moreover, the proliferation of private borewells, estimated at over 400,000, underscores the critical importance of water management in Bengaluru.

In Bengaluru, the city's lakes rely solely on rainwater and surface runoff from their catchment areas, which are the regions where water collects and flows into the lakes. These lakes are interconnected through a network of stormwater drains called kaluves, which transport excess water from higher to lower-elevation lakes, effectively managing floods and conserving water. 

Bengaluru boasts of six lake series, including Yellamallappa Chetty, Varthur, Madavara, Byramangala, Puttenahalli and Hulimavu.

Most lakes in Bengaluru are primarily fed by stormwater through their inlets, but they also receive sewage from leaky pipes and streets. To control water levels, overflow weirs or culverts known as kodis are used, while human-made lakes are equipped with bunds or ridges, to create reservoirs.

Many non-governmental organisations (NGO) working on improving water conservation have opined that community involvement is pivotal in preserving Bangalore’s lakes. Examples like Puttenahalli and Kaikondrahalli lakes showcase how urban and traditional communities collaborate with government agencies, forming trusts authorised to maintain these lakes. Organisations like Friends of Lakes Bangalore or One Bengaluru for Lakes facilitate citizen engagement in lake conservation efforts, offering support from awareness campaigns to liaising with authorities.

Individuals can contribute to lake restoration efforts by organising events like “Kere Habba”, featuring activities for children, organic food stalls and environmental NGOs discussing water issues, birdwatching, competitions and lake walks. 

Regular community activities such as cleaning, gardening and tree planting are encouraged, each lasting no more than an hour, according to locals. 

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