Community Leadership for Water Source Rejuvenation
Summary
After Jakkur Lake in Bangalore became severely polluted, residents and community members took it upon themselves to clean the lake and to create a group to maintain it.
In the 1800s, Jakkur Lake was constructed to be a water source for the people of Bangalore. Covering 65 hectares, the lake became a habitat for many migratory birds and other wildlife. However, like many urban water bodies, Jakkur Lake became polluted and unsuitable for human consumption over time. Apartment complexes such as Hebron Properties were developed near lakes like Jakkur for their view and proximity to recreational spaces. However, early in the 2000s, locals and nearby industries polluted the lake, which created a poor aesthetic for residents and a potentially harmful habitat for wildlife. To improve water quality, the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) rejuvenated Jakkur Lake by constructing a wetland between 2009?2011 (WRI, n.d.). Although this rejuvenation effort was beneficial for managing the nutrient load entering the lake, continuous waste dumping and sewage from stormwater overflow and open defecation led to the area's continued degradation (Chakravorty, 2019).
By 2012, the lake no longer had any aesthetic appeal and became a source of anguish for the community. From 2014-2015, the lake's custodianship changed from BDA to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), but BBMP had not yet assumed the responsibility. Both BDA and BBMP determined they could not perform the lake maintenance duties due to staff shortages or lack of funding. By handing out pamphlets, creating a Facebook page, and reaching out to visitors to educate them about the lake, Dr. Annapurna Kamath created the Jala Poshan Trust to rehabilitate and make lasting changes to the lake and its surrounding environment (Urban Waters, n.d.). Jala Poshan adopted the lake and began to rehabilitate it in 2015, with conservation as a top priority (Lekshimi, 2018; WRI, n.d.).
Intervention
Jala Poshan is a registered trust made up of environmentally conscious citizens who live near Jakkur Lake. In 2018, the trust reached over 200 individual volunteers (Lekshimi, 2018). Through an agreement reached through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), multiple stakeholders, including Jala Poshan, Satya Foundation, Biome Environmental Solutions, Ananas, ATREE, BBMP, KSPCB, the Fisheries Department, BWSS, and the Horticulture Department of Bangalore, became the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation team (Kareli, 2018). The collaboration of these stakeholders serves as a model for a collaborative approach for restoration and source water protection efforts across Bangalore. The MoU was a necessary step for the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation project because if Jala Poshan did not have control over the lake, it would remain a dumping ground (Urban Waters, n.d.).
In many ways, Jala Poshan has removed some of the stressors of consistent maintenance of Jakkur Lake. By becoming the management authority, the trust deals with problems as they arise, such as using the lake for cattle washing or bathing. Through discussions with the demographic who wanted to use the lake for these purposes, compromises and regulations were set, including restricting bathing and using water collected outside the lake for cattle washing (Urban Waters, n.d.). Involving BBMP is a last resort for the trust, and this arrangement has allowed the two to maintain a positive working relationship (Urban Waters, n.d.). Along with local experts from the college of agricultural sciences, Jala Poshan members would meet to identify the types of plants and methods to include in the rejuvenation to create a sound socio-ecological model for humans and wildlife to enjoy (Kareli, 2018; Lekshimi, 2018). Through the National Water Mission of India, this process of community engagement and follow-through has been showcased and highlighted as an example for other local rejuvenation efforts. Jala Poshan continues to maintain this lake and its surrounding environment (Chakravorty, 2019; NWM, n.d.).
Challenges
The initial challenges of this adoption included the necessary resources, including volunteer capacity to monitor effluent release and illegal dumping around the lake with limited authority.
Outcomes
There were many positive outcomes of this rejuvenation project, including the immediate improvement of the natural environment and identifying successful long-term strategies relevant for sustainable water resource management across Bangalore and India as a whole. Notably, the natural environment began to flourish soon after the project began. By including experts from various disciplines and institutions, the trust was able to identify various flora and fauna species that were endemic to the area, beneficial for the soil surrounding the lake, and that would attract pollinators. The ultimate goal was to create an area that was socio-ecologically sound, a haven for conservation in addition to an area that was accessible to residents.
Since the rehabilitation was completed, local fishers have been able to catch up to 100 kg of fish per day. Around 7 million liters per day (MLD) of groundwater is recharged, and nearby agricultural producers benefit from 100,000 liters of water per day that can be drawn from a nearby well (WRI, n.d.). Additionally, due to the push for restoration, Jala Poshan was able to ask for an increase in capacity for the sewage treatment facilities that feed into the lake, increasing the capacity of the sewage treatment from 10 MLD to 15 MLD (Patil, 2020; WRI, n.d.). Since the Jala Poshan Trust is the caretaker of Jakkur Lake, member contributions, donations from nearby corporations, and continuous fundraising are needed to maintain the conservation efforts.
This restoration effort became an important example for the National Water Mission (NWM) of India, which is one of the eight missions that adhere to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (MoWR, n.d). In 2019, after years of rejuvenation, the Jala Poshan Trust won second place in the National Water Mission awards for the promotion of citizen and state action for water conservation, augmentation, and preservation (Chakravorty, 2019; NWM, 2019). Following the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation success, BBMP supports other lake rejuvenation efforts throughout Bangalore by seeking funding sources. BBMP has determined that lake rejuvenation is a joint effort, and alternative finances sourced from corporate sponsors are needed to continue this rejuvenation process.
References
Community Leadership for Water Source Rejuvenation
Summary
After Jakkur Lake in Bangalore became severely polluted, residents and community members took it upon themselves to clean the lake and to create a group to maintain it.
In the 1800s, Jakkur Lake was constructed to be a water source for the people of Bangalore. Covering 65 hectares, the lake became a habitat for many migratory birds and other wildlife. However, like many urban water bodies, Jakkur Lake became polluted and unsuitable for human consumption over time. Apartment complexes such as Hebron Properties were developed near lakes like Jakkur for their view and proximity to recreational spaces. However, early in the 2000s, locals and nearby industries polluted the lake, which created a poor aesthetic for residents and a potentially harmful habitat for wildlife. To improve water quality, the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) rejuvenated Jakkur Lake by constructing a wetland between 2009?2011 (WRI, n.d.). Although this rejuvenation effort was beneficial for managing the nutrient load entering the lake, continuous waste dumping and sewage from stormwater overflow and open defecation led to the area's continued degradation (Chakravorty, 2019).
By 2012, the lake no longer had any aesthetic appeal and became a source of anguish for the community. From 2014-2015, the lake's custodianship changed from BDA to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), but BBMP had not yet assumed the responsibility. Both BDA and BBMP determined they could not perform the lake maintenance duties due to staff shortages or lack of funding. By handing out pamphlets, creating a Facebook page, and reaching out to visitors to educate them about the lake, Dr. Annapurna Kamath created the Jala Poshan Trust to rehabilitate and make lasting changes to the lake and its surrounding environment (Urban Waters, n.d.). Jala Poshan adopted the lake and began to rehabilitate it in 2015, with conservation as a top priority (Lekshimi, 2018; WRI, n.d.).
Issue
Intervention
Jala Poshan is a registered trust made up of environmentally conscious citizens who live near Jakkur Lake. In 2018, the trust reached over 200 individual volunteers (Lekshimi, 2018). Through an agreement reached through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), multiple stakeholders, including Jala Poshan, Satya Foundation, Biome Environmental Solutions, Ananas, ATREE, BBMP, KSPCB, the Fisheries Department, BWSS, and the Horticulture Department of Bangalore, became the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation team (Kareli, 2018). The collaboration of these stakeholders serves as a model for a collaborative approach for restoration and source water protection efforts across Bangalore. The MoU was a necessary step for the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation project because if Jala Poshan did not have control over the lake, it would remain a dumping ground (Urban Waters, n.d.).
In many ways, Jala Poshan has removed some of the stressors of consistent maintenance of Jakkur Lake. By becoming the management authority, the trust deals with problems as they arise, such as using the lake for cattle washing or bathing. Through discussions with the demographic who wanted to use the lake for these purposes, compromises and regulations were set, including restricting bathing and using water collected outside the lake for cattle washing (Urban Waters, n.d.). Involving BBMP is a last resort for the trust, and this arrangement has allowed the two to maintain a positive working relationship (Urban Waters, n.d.). Along with local experts from the college of agricultural sciences, Jala Poshan members would meet to identify the types of plants and methods to include in the rejuvenation to create a sound socio-ecological model for humans and wildlife to enjoy (Kareli, 2018; Lekshimi, 2018). Through the National Water Mission of India, this process of community engagement and follow-through has been showcased and highlighted as an example for other local rejuvenation efforts. Jala Poshan continues to maintain this lake and its surrounding environment (Chakravorty, 2019; NWM, n.d.).
Challenges
The initial challenges of this adoption included the necessary resources, including volunteer capacity to monitor effluent release and illegal dumping around the lake with limited authority.
Outcomes
There were many positive outcomes of this rejuvenation project, including the immediate improvement of the natural environment and identifying successful long-term strategies relevant for sustainable water resource management across Bangalore and India as a whole. Notably, the natural environment began to flourish soon after the project began. By including experts from various disciplines and institutions, the trust was able to identify various flora and fauna species that were endemic to the area, beneficial for the soil surrounding the lake, and that would attract pollinators. The ultimate goal was to create an area that was socio-ecologically sound, a haven for conservation in addition to an area that was accessible to residents.
Since the rehabilitation was completed, local fishers have been able to catch up to 100 kg of fish per day. Around 7 million liters per day (MLD) of groundwater is recharged, and nearby agricultural producers benefit from 100,000 liters of water per day that can be drawn from a nearby well (WRI, n.d.). Additionally, due to the push for restoration, Jala Poshan was able to ask for an increase in capacity for the sewage treatment facilities that feed into the lake, increasing the capacity of the sewage treatment from 10 MLD to 15 MLD (Patil, 2020; WRI, n.d.). Since the Jala Poshan Trust is the caretaker of Jakkur Lake, member contributions, donations from nearby corporations, and continuous fundraising are needed to maintain the conservation efforts.
This restoration effort became an important example for the National Water Mission (NWM) of India, which is one of the eight missions that adhere to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (MoWR, n.d). In 2019, after years of rejuvenation, the Jala Poshan Trust won second place in the National Water Mission awards for the promotion of citizen and state action for water conservation, augmentation, and preservation (Chakravorty, 2019; NWM, 2019). Following the Jakkur Lake rejuvenation success, BBMP supports other lake rejuvenation efforts throughout Bangalore by seeking funding sources. BBMP has determined that lake rejuvenation is a joint effort, and alternative finances sourced from corporate sponsors are needed to continue this rejuvenation process.
Issues |
|---|
Water Pollution and Contamination |
Solutions |
|---|
Community Engagement & Education |
References
Chakravorty, J. (2019). Bengalureans win award for reviving and protecting Jakkur Lake | Bengaluru News. Times of India. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bengalureans-win-award-for-reviving-and-protecting-jakkur-lake/articleshow/71319835.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Kareli, G. (2018). Once Infamous As A Littering Spot, Bengaluru’s Jakkur Lake Is Now Known For Its Lush Greenery | Swachh Warriors. (2018, November 27). NDTV-Dettol Banega Swachh India. https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/bengaluru-jakkur-lake-tree-plantation-drive-by-citizens-28264/
Lekshmi, P. (2018). Citizens Turn Bengaluru’s Jakkur Lake into Eco-Zone With These Herbs & Rare Trees!. The Better India. https://www.thebetterindia.com/163949/jakkur-bengaluru-lake-pollution-cleaning-news/
MOWR Department of Water Resources, RD & GR | Government of India. (n.d.) National Water Mission. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from http://mowr.gov.in/about-us/wings/national-water-mission
NWM. (n.d.). National Mission Awards 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from http://nwm.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final_list_of_Awardees-NWM_Awards-2019.pdf
Patil, R. (2020). Water Warriors: Communities can change the picture of current water crisis across India. Here’s how. (n.d.). The New Indian Express. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.edexlive.com/people/2020/mar/16/communities-can-change-the-picture-of-current-water-crisis-across-india-heres-how-10611.html
Sustainability Next. (2016, July 13). Jakkur Lake Rejuvenation: Lessons in Impact of Strong Community Leadership. Sustainability Next. https://sustainabilitynext.in/jakkur-lake-rejuvenation-lessons-in-impact-of-strong-community-leadership/
Urban Waters. (n.d.). A lake is rejuvenated for people and nature. Urban Waters, Bengaluru. Retrieved August 24, 2020, from http://bengaluru.urbanwaters.in/case-study-lake-rejuvenated-for-people-nature-319/
WRI (n.d.). Jakkur Lake Rejuvenation Bengaluru. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://smartnet.niua.org/csc/assets/pdf/water/CS5.pdf