Deserted Amruthahalli Lake

Lake clearing work is in full blast. Now the lake looks like desert, with dust eroding from lakebed. It also deserted negatively in terms of avian population. Most of the waders have vacated the lake assuming lake would be extinct soon! Hope this does not happen. Wife was curious whether is this for rejuvenation or playground construction. Other suspect is to clear area for Real estate tycoons?

The below looks like highway work which spares a tree along the path!

Bangalore lakes were constructed with a plan and purpose in mind. Now, most of the lakes are avenged  by real estate greed.

Meanwhile, the birds too have deserted this place due to lack of vegetation and water. Only interested folks like drongos, egrets and mynas which feed on the dug out mud stay here. They boldly sit beside excavator to spot their meal without worrying about the life danger!

This black drongo was enjoying its ride on the dumper truck and shows how these intrepid urban birds have adapted to urban land with minimum resources.

Although there is political motive behind the lake desilting activity, what citizens expect is the problems do not recur. The sewage needs to be redirected away from lake. Authorities are promising to block sewage towards lake but how to manage backpressure during excess rain is the question. The hollow pipes are connected to sewage channel from lake for spilling excess water but what happens when sewage backpressure forces water to move against the flow? We had couple of cases few years back when lake bed spilled due to heavy rains inundating the neighboring areas. Politicians provide temporary solutions and rest till next elections. I am afraid, same is the case here!

The colorful summer blooms are the only cheer leaders around the arid lake bed.

Before winding up, the sunset behind the deserted lake is something to cheer for! Not for long though when concrete pinnacles shadow the lake area. The east part of lake also has similar story! The area is being cleared for real estate development even though the land is part of lake. An attempt to eyewash the common people in name of development.

Hope the lake facelift materializes resulting in abundant avian activity!