Where are the lakes?
Shaurya Singh and Aryan Makhecha
Grade 8, Mallya Aditi International School, Bengaluru
Rapid urbanization and economic growth leading to rising population density are some of the main factors that have caused Bangalore to change from a pensioners’ paradise with calm blue lakes and lush green pastures to IT hub of India with huge glass skyscrapers and factories spewing smoke and chemicals into the environment.
Bangalore’s “pull factors” have caused an increase in the population density has called for an exponential amount of expansion of the city of Bangalore. The worst victims in this onslaught of modernisation and globalisation are the lakes and tanks of Bangalore even though they play a hugely important role of maintaining the flora and fauna in the city.
Some of the bustling areas of the city such as Koramangala and Millers Road were once serene lakes but now host residential layouts, sports stadiums, parks, and bus stands. Most of the lakes have vanished due to encroachment urban infrastructure expansion.
We interviewed concerned Bangaloreans and learned of the sad state of many lakes in Bangalore. Due to illegal dumping, release of untreated sewage into the water and land encroachment, lakes are in the late stages of eutrophication.
The direct adverse effects of this drastic decrease in the area of water bodies include, but are not limited to, frequent flooding and micro climatic changes in the city, undesirable impact on the flora and fauna.
Talking to many Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials, we recognised the difficulties and challenges faced by the BBMP as well as the lake development authorities. We have come up with an idea to help save the dying lakes of our Bangalore.
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