Bengaluru Hulimavu Lake vanishes under encroachment
Bengaluru’s once-pristine Hulimavu Lake is now at the centre of a growing civic and environmental crisis, with residents alleging large-scale encroachment by real estate developers. The lake, historically known for its scenic landscape and temples, has been increasingly swallowed by unchecked construction activities, drastically altering its ecological and aesthetic appeal. A viral video circulating on social media has drawn public outrage, exposing how residential complexes and a newly constructed road have encroached upon the lake’s expanse. This unregulated expansion not only threatens the existence of the lake but also highlights deeper systemic failures in urban governance.
Civic Failure: Lack of Regulatory Oversight
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is responsible for overseeing urban planning, has acknowledged complaints regarding the encroachment, but residents remain sceptical about any concrete action. While BBMP’s Integrated Command Control Centre issued an automated grievance registration response, many fear that mere documentation of complaints will not be enough. Historical cases suggest that land encroachments often go unchecked due to alleged political interference and corruption within local authorities. Several citizens have shared their personal accounts of losing plots to illegal land acquisition, reinforcing the belief that powerful real estate interests operate with impunity. Calls for legal action have intensified, with many demanding that civic activists file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court to force government bodies to take accountability.
Sustainability Crisis: Disappearing Lakes, Rising Urban Risks
Bengaluru, once celebrated as the “City of Lakes,” has seen an alarming decline in its water bodies, primarily due to rapid urbanisation. A study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) found that Bengaluru has lost over 88% of its lakes in the past five decades, with over 90% of the remaining water bodies polluted beyond safe levels. Encroachment, industrial waste, and unregulated sewage disposal have transformed once-thriving lakes into barren patches of land. The case of Hulimavu Lake is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the broader ecological crisis gripping Bengaluru. Without strict environmental regulations, the city risks losing its natural water reservoirs, leading to water shortages and increased flooding risks during monsoons.
Urban Development vs. Ecological Balance
The Hulimavu Lake crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable urban planning. Experts warn that short-term commercial gains must not come at the cost of long-term environmental damage. The government must enforce stringent anti-encroachment laws, revive existing lakes, and introduce green urban development policies. Failure to act swiftly could accelerate Bengaluru’s transition from a once-lush urban centre to a concrete jungle devoid of natural water sources. Residents and activists continue to push for greater accountability, hoping that sustained pressure will lead to concrete action before Hulimavu Lake fades into history like many others before it.
