Let the maintenance of the lakes be given to the residents around the lake
Several projects were taken up to rejuvenate Bangalore Lakes but with not much success. BBMP Bangalore has recently come up with an idea to maintain and rejuvenate Bangalore Lakes. Make them people’s lakes. Let the maintenance of the lakes be given to the residents around the lake. Ashwin Mahesh, adviser to the government and ABIDe member, thinks that it’s a good idea because communities have a right over local resources and public facilities. “This decision came up because BBMP doesn’t have enough money. If communities can do a better job, then, why not,” he said.
N Mukund, member, executive committee, Jayanagar 5th Block Residents Welfare Association, “the RWA that takes the responsibility of managing the lake has to be strong and has to have a good network. But without good resources and money, a lake cannot be managed. If a company decides to do a corporate social responsibility project with their resources, it could be possible. But we as RWAs can’t raise much money. BBMP has to support us with funds. However, the wells in the locality can be easily managed by RWAs and this could lead to recharge of additional water resources in the area,” he said.
However, Uday Kumar, deputy conservator of forests and Lake Development Authority chief, said that public-private partnership (PPP) model was not allowed in Karnataka. Even in this case, the communities will be raising money to maintain the lake.
“Nothing should be done against the government policy or the court’s decision. But historically communities have taken care of their resources. Panchayats used to maintain water bodies. So in this case, the government should draft a clear policy of who should own the lakes. Who should spend money for its maintenance,” he explained.
The maintenance of the lakes by the residents around the lake is a good idea. Usha Rajagopal and her team in Puttenahalli have shown the way. She and a few other members of her locality started Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust. They signed an MoU with BBMP to take up the ownership of the lake’s maintenance. Now Usha’s team regularly raises funds from other residents for the upkeep. Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust became first residents group of Bangalore to take charge of maintaining a lake.
“Our website is transparent. We keep updating on how we are using the donations. The residents here are particular about how the lake is maintained. We have managed to maintain it successfully and I think other residents near other important lakes can easily replicate it,” she said.
Source: Times of India
Bangalore, Puttenahalli Lake, Puttenahalli Lake Bangalore, Puttenahalli Lake Bangalore JP Nagar, Residents Welfare Associations
