Bangalore: The lakes in our city are falling prey to increasing urbanisation. They are being converted into dumping grounds for construction debris and garbage. What is more depressing is that people rarely seem to take the initiative to do something about the issue and protect what is remaining of the ever-shrinking lakes.

Uthkarsh, a residents' welfare association of L.B. Shastry Nagar, is an organisation that is different and is striving hard to protect Vibhutipura Lake.

Sridhar Chakravarthy, a resident, told The Hindu that the lakebed had been encroached upon and several hutments have come up. "That is not all. Every day, there are at least five to 10 lorries that come and dump debris, construction material and garbage in the lake," he said, adding that hutments have also come up on the lakebed.

"All these activities have been shrinking the area of lake at an alarming rate. When we came to the area in 1998, the place was beautiful and pleasant. Now, construction is going on every where and debris and garbage is being dumped in the lake," he added.

Mr. Chakravarthy said that the residents had tried to dissuade lorry drivers from dumping the debris in the lake. "They would not listen to us. They were very indifferent and just went ahead and dumped the debris right in front of us."

Members of Uthkarsh, through the Right to Information Act, found out that the lake came under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department.

"A few of us went to the Forest Department and met with the Conservator of Forests U.V. Singh and Deputy Conservator of Forests A.M. Annaiah and explained our case to them. It was surprising that they did not know about it. We showed them the pictures of the shrinking lake that we had taken," Mr. Chakravarthy said.

He said that they urged the officials to take steps and ensure that what is left of Vibhutipura lake is preserved. They urged them to fence the lake, conduct surprise checks and initiate legal action against those caught dumping debris and garbage in the lake.

Mr. Annaiah told The Hindu conceded that the members of Uthkarsh met him and Mr. Singh recently. He also said that the Forest Department would do its best to protect the lake. "We are trying to do our best. The problem is that we have only one security guard for six to seven lakes in that part of the city. Dumping of debris is going on aggressively everywhere." He also said that he would discuss the issue further with Uthkarsh.

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