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Lessons and leisure

Looking for a recreation spot with an educative slant? Try Karanji Lake

ECO-FRIENDLY HOME TO THE BIRDS

If you believed in such things, then it's Goddess Chamundi who directed us to this place. The queue stood a mile long outside the temple at Chamundi Hills in Mysore. No way we could have seen her before boarding the evening train.

"Would you like to visit the new lake near the Mysore zoo?" asked the driver. "Everyone's talking about it." And that's where we went. The king of Mysore built the Karanji lake 100 years ago. Its waters lapped around 55 hectares of forested area with a foreshore of 35 hectares. A 2.5 km long feeder channel from Chamundi Hills kept it wet and welcome to feathered guests. The Mysore Zoo took possession in 1976, and over the years, forgot all about it. Sewage from residential layouts nearby made it a stinking body of water. The birds that once came there to roost turned up their long and short noses and blacklisted the place. The odour was one thing, but the disappearance of aquatic food was a serious another. All the lake now needed was a tombstone.

Restoration

The Asian Development Bank, the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation and the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) saw a spot of eco-tourism in a revived lake. On Lalitha Mahal Road, behind the famous zoo, you couldn't beat the Karanji (fountain in Kannada) lake for location.

Happily, the guys who planned the restoration were either clued in on environment conservation or had the good sense to consult experts. Sewage inflow was plugged, silt was thrown out and rainwater let in, allowing aquatic life in the lake to improve.

It took nearly a decade for the critters to come back and give it a semblance of eco-sensitivity. In 2003-2004, work began on a tourist-friendly infrastructure.

What you have today is a water body (90 hectares) that's "a haven for 90 species migrating and local birds."

Yes, the winged aristocrats have graciously returned to their old breeding haunt, no doubt forgiving the locals for destroying their summer hangout.

The lake and the adjacent garden "support several species of butterflies and small mammals, a clear example of wetland eco system."

The lake opened to non-winged visitors and quickly entered the can't-miss category.

Remember this if you choose to visit it.

Apart from a camera and a stuffed wallet (the entrance/parking/camera charges add to a stiff sum), you need time, at least three hours on a holiday.

You also need a pair of strong legs for the long walk to the butterfly garden, a must see.

There is a boat ride, of course, but that's passé. Take that stroll to the butterfly pavilion.

The path has shady trees to the left overlooking the lake and seats to take the weight off your unaccustomed-to-walking feet.

Cross a bridge to enter the insect exhibition.

Lush foliage

Move around the lush foliage watching the flitting beauties.

If a flying monarch graces your shoulder or hair to rest, don't move. There is also the bird sanctorum, a walk-through aviary, where you mingle freely with peacocks, hornbills, geese, storks and swans in the privacy of the enclosure.

Enough to make you an instant bird enthusiast. There's talk of providing watchtowers, binoculars and books on birds for interested bird watchers.

The solar-panelled park is getting elephants to take kids on rides.

Another important feature... . it's disabled friendly.

The Karanji lake development project was prepared by Dalal Consultants in consultation with ZAK and the Mysore Jala Samvardhana Okoota.

The Okoota was formed for the improvement and rehabilitation of Mysore's five lakes with the close co-operation of NGOs and community representatives.

Lakes as recreation spots with an educative slant.

A great idea.

GEETA PADMANABHAN

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