For years, residents surrounding Gottigere Lake have devoted their Sundays to preserving the lake’s cleanliness, engaging in regular clean-up drives with fervent dedication. Armed with weeding forks and ropes, these volunteers have invested considerable effort into maintaining the lake. Despite their valiant efforts, the lake’s condition remains dishearteningly poor, exposing a profound failure of governance and environmental stewardship.
The lake’s current state is a stark testament to the negligence and inefficiency of the responsible authorities. For over a decade, residents have repeatedly petitioned various agencies to address the lake’s deteriorating condition. Their pleas, however, have largely fallen on deaf ears, exacerbating the problem and leaving the lake on the brink of ecological collapse. Residents’ commitment to the lake is well-documented. In January 2018, the media highlighted their persistent efforts to clean the lake. Their initiatives included a significant walkathon on December 2, 2018, which drew hundreds, including children, all united in their mission to rejuvenate the lake. Despite such high-profile community actions and ongoing media coverage since 2013, the lake remains in a state of neglect.
The persistence of the problem reflects a troubling pattern of inaction. Residents have not only organised clean-up drives but have also worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the lake’s plight. However, the lack of a coordinated response from authorities has meant that their efforts have not translated into meaningful change. The Gottigere Lake debacle underscores a broader issue of institutional apathy towards urban environmental concerns. The continued degradation of the lake serves as a critical reminder of the need for effective governance and proactive environmental management. Without decisive action from the authorities, the lake’s condition will likely continue to deteriorate, rendering all past efforts fruitless.
