Bengaluru: With the purpose of preserving the pristine peace of Jakkur Lake, a citizens’ group called Jala Poshan, comprised of residents around Jakkur Lake, have joined hands with Satya Foundation, (a trust that works for community development). They have adopted Jakkur lake to nurture its beauty, maintain its positive aspects and preserve its eco-system.
It has been over two months now since the group has taken over the lake. In that time, they have managed to clear all the parthenium (overgrowing weeds) at the lake. Now de-weeding activity is in progress and once this is done, other conservation activities will be taken up.
The advisory board of the citizens’ group consist of experts like Dr. T V Ramachandra from IISC, Dr. A N Yellappa Reddy, Mr. S Vishwanath of BIOME, Dr. Ganesan Balachander of ATREE, Dr Harini Nagendra APU, Dr. S Subramanya from GKVK, Punati Sridhar from MGIRED, Gowri Shanakar from Kalinga Foundation. This impressive array of eminent persons and thinkers will provide scientific suggestions for resolving various issues at the lake.
Thanks to the initiative of the citizens’ group, the lake has become entirely plastic and garbage-free. Sanjeev Dyamannavar, one of those from the group, informs, “First we removed the garbage, cleared the plastic around and in the lake, then we cleared the parthenium. We deployed 10 women for the work.” A few months ago, the lake environs had witnessed vehicle movements at night and dumping of debris, disturbing the biological structure of the Lake.
However, after the intervention of the group and talks with the BBMP, four home guards have been stationed there, who are ensuring that the lake is secure and that there are no unauthorized activities at the lake.
The group is planning to plant 1,000 saplings around the lake in the month of August alone. BBMP Joint Commissioner (Yelahanka Zone) Sarfarosh Khan infact have promised to provide 2-3 trucks of compost free of cost.
Sanjeev adds, “We want to create a compost pit, as well as sitting areas for people near the lake, facilities for those who wish to go fishing once in a month or even once a week.” The only stipulation: “People need to leave the fish at the lake itself, as fish is important to the lake and for birds to come to the lake.”
To make the lake a bio diverse space, JalaPoshan has taken up Vanamahotsava 2015 – a tree plantation drive on all weekends of August. Citizens can sponsor trees. A nominal donation per plant is requested, that can cover its cost, labour and its nurturing for a year. Trees are selected based on expert advice to increase the birds and butterflies at the lake.
Let’s hope the residents around other city lakes emulate this heartwarming initiative!
