Bangalore in Karnataka, India was once a city of lakes (aka tanks). Around 1,792 lakes existed there 500 years ago (most built by the city’s founder). In the 1960s, about 280 lakes were left. An estimated 70 to 80 lakes remain today. Lakes were lost from development and surrounding commercial or household encroachment.
The India Water Portal, a water-website of Arghyam (where I completed my internship last fall), recently hosted The Lost Lakes of Bangalore contest. The aim of this project was to document histories of lost lakes in the city. The winning entry was “Err- bane” Truth – Dharmambudi Tank. I really enjoyed watching this short-film. It showed, in an easy-to-understand format, the importance of lakes to urban areas.
To summarize, lakes are important to urban areas for several reasons including:
• Water Supply for Urban Areas (catching and holding rainwater supplies)
• Recharge of Groundwater Supplies (catching rainwater and recharging groundwater)
• Reducing Temperatures in Cities
• Providing Habitat for Vegetation and Wildlife
