United Way Bengaluru to oversee the work done by the BBMP and make sure the lakes are well maintained round the year.
United Way Bengaluru on Saturday organised a lake-a-thon to rejuvenate waterbodies in the city. The lake-a-thon was flagged off by Padmashree awardee Zafar Futehally, member of National Committee on Environmental Planning.
The campaign’s objective was to inculcate a sense of community ownership of lakes among people residing near these waterbodies and prevent them from degradation.
This campaign focused on restoring Uttarahalli Lake in South Bangalore.
Currently, United Way is planning to support restoration of 11 lakes in the city. The average cost of maintaining a lake is about Rs15 lakh to Rs18 lakh per annum. United Way is hoping to raise funds from companies in the city for the maintenance work. It will also engage employees on a regular basis for lake cleaning and tree plantation to bring down the cost. “The campaign began with the objective to free the lakes from garbage, effluents and other pollutants. This will help revive the ecosystem in the lake and increase ground water level in the vicinity of the lake leading to availability of potable water. By partnering with corporate organisations, we aim to create awareness about saving lakes,” said Sabu Thomas, chairman, United Way Bengaluru.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has undertaken the first part of the lake rejuvenation, which includes removing encroachments, fencing the lakes, diverting sewage water, installing sewage treatment plants, and planting trees. United Way will oversee the work done by the BBMP and make sure the lakes are well maintained round the year.
On the lake restoration effort, Venkatesh Valluri, chairman and president, Ingersoll Rand India said: “We aim to secure the city’s lakes, reverse ground water depletion and restore the environment. Wake the Lake campaign is a critical step towards social convergence, where corporate organisations, government bodies, and NGOs are mobilised to take collaborative action towards environmental sustainability.” Jai Xavier Prabhu David, founder and CEO of PRHUB pointed out that there is no much water left to tap to sustain the ever-exploding population of Bangalore
. Saving the dried- up lakes is an obvious and effective solution. According to World Health Organisation, by 2020, only 78 litres of potable water will be available per person per day in the city as against the 150 litres required. Perhaps the lake-a-thon might help improve the situation in the city.
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