WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATION AT JAKKUR

A beautiful sunrise, lake on the horizon, birds chirping through the morning and a small gathering of people to talk about the lake… such was the celebration of World Environment Day at Jakkur Lake.
Jakkur Lake is spread over an area of 160 acres, NE in Bangalore. The lake falls within Hebbal Valley as part of the Yellamallappa Chetty lake series. Once almost dried up in 2005, now the lake is being fed by treated waste water from a BWSSB operated 10 MLD STP to the north of the lake. 

The lake is adopted and maintained by ‘Jalaposhan’ – a non-profit organization led by community around Jakkur. It has played an important role in the lake rejuvenation and educating the people to understand the lake health. Jakkur Lake is now considered a model lake in terms of its biodiversity as well as management, led by citizen participation. This event was one such, to create awareness and connect to people.

Jakkur Lake Observation Deck

Walkway on lake periphery

 The event was scheduled on 5th June at 9 am at the community building on the periphery of the lake. Among many participants were Annapurna Kamat from Jalaposhan, Dr Chanakya from IISC Bangalore, Mr S Vishwanath from BIOME Environmental Services and Miss Minakshi along with some school children of 4^th standard.
The interactive sessions dealt with the talk on the current scenario of Bangalore in terms of its lakes and how to interpret the quantum of knowledge available on internet.The importance of lake for biodiversity and the uniqueness of the Jakkur Lake in these terms is quite remarkable owing to the variety of migratory birds found here, especially the Spot Billed Pelican and cranes. Also, how rejuvenating the lakes can have an overall impact on the Bangalore city itself was discussed. 

Students of IISC Bangalore showing water quality assessment test

Miss Minakshi addressing the crowd

Jakkur Lake gets its water from the STP at its north. This water cannot be directly utilized for drinking purpose but there is an open well at the east periphery of the lake which is used for day to day water usage.So the flow of water from STP through wetland and lake and through natural ground filters makes the water reusable. 

Outlet of STP discharging treated waste water into the wetlands

Miss Annapurna also mentioned three projects under progress in and around the lake - 

1. Wetland project – BIOME 
2.  Community garden to flourish permaculture
3. Nature’s Gurukul Prakruthi Patashale – A citizen science initiative

The event marked the inaugural of the Nature’s Gurukul with lake side activities to be organized every weekend for children as well as community alike. Some activities include bird watching, Nature Walk and assessing water quality in association with a group of students from IISC Bangalore.

In summary, the entire event was well received among the audience and they even committed for a regular participation in the awareness drive. The discussions encouraged active participation from the children, who gave apt responses and added enthusiasm to the event.

By 
Kavina, Kruthika,  Milan, Shimoli, Surabhi