Located beside the Indian Air Force station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru, the Hunasamaranahalli lake is one of the spots chosen by nearby residents to watch the annual air shows as well as helicopter takeoffs. Last week it was opened to the public after restoration.
In January, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced the 18-acre lake was being restored in collaboration with a private company as the waterbody had collected huge deposits of silt and garbage in the past few years.
The project began in 2022. American retail company Lowe’s India announced the rejuvenation of the lake on July 27.
“As part of the rejuvenation, Lowe’s India supported a number of enhancements including de-silting, the addition of bunds around the lake, the planting of 1,000-plus trees and flowering plants, refurbishment of inlet and outlet sources and the creation of a new walking and cycling path along the lake’s perimeter. Additionally, Lowe’s India associates led cleanup drives, including garbage collection and weed removal, in areas surrounding the lake,” the company said in a statement.
“The rejuvenated lake is expected to bring back lost biodiversity in the surrounding areas and save more than 3,00,015.9 kg of carbon dioxide by 2043. It has already started attracting butterflies, birds and other smaller creatures. More than 500 people visit the lake daily,” the company added.
Ankur Mittal, managing director at Lowe’s India, said, “Supporting our communities and the environment is integral to who we are at Lowe’s and this project is testament to the immense impact we can achieve when we prioritize sustainability. I am proud of the unwavering commitment of our teams and our partners who supported this project. I am thankful to the government of Karnataka and local authorities who trusted and assisted us through the journey.”
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The project began in 2022. American retail company Lowe’s India announced the rejuvenation of the lake on July 27.
Gowda said that he inspected the lake in January to understand at which stage of development the lake was in. “As the city continues to grow, we are witnessing several changes in our environment, and we must make conscious efforts to conserve it. The depletion of lakes is among the major disruptors of our biodiversity and bringing them back to life will be critical to reverse the effects of climate change,” he added.
“The lake had huge deposits of silt and garbage. As part of the development the lake was de-silted and a walk path around the lake was developed. The inlet and outlet of the lake was refurbished. Water is essential for life. Our efforts to develop lakes will continue,” the minister said.
Ramesh M, a resident who lives in the vicinity of the lake, said the lake was in dire need of attention. “I used to sit with my friends here to watch aircraft taking off during Aero Shows. However, there were no proper seating arrangements and garbage was strewn all along the lake,” he said, adding that the government had not fenced its boundary and anybody could have fallen in the lake. “Now, after the restoration, the lake will be one of the most visited places in north Bengaluru.”
