Somewhere in Bangalore....

Two years ago, Chinnappanahalli Lake area was a haven for petty criminals, a hangout for drunkards, a dumping yard and was fast shrinking with encroachments. Thanks to the Chinnappanahalli Lake Development Trust, an initiative by the residents of the locality in Mahadevapura, near Whitefield, today it’s a green and serene spot, popular with walkers. A clean walkway surrounds the lake, with more than 500 varieties of well maintained tree and plant species, and there’s a play area for children.
“We’ve developed, rejuvenated and restored the lake, and look into its maintenance,” says Prabha Shankar Rai, a member of the trust. He took the initiative after BBMP failed to take any action, citing lack of funds, to retrieve the land from encroachers and develop the lake. He and a few fellow residents set up the Trust and signed an MoU with the BBMP for maintenance and development work.
“The lake area is reduced from 50 acres to 15 acres currently. Initially, I received many threats from land encroachers but we persisted in our efforts to retrieve some land for the restoration of the lake,” Rai said, showing the recovered area on which a park for senior citizens is being planned. The Trust, financed by the members and with donations from volunteers, takes care of the maintenance and development activities. It plans to bring up a yoga and meditation centre, apart from a senior citizens’ park. “Rs 6 lakh have been spent on the lake so far,” he said. Five members are employed for its upkeep.
On the second Saturday of every month, the Trust conducts ‘Shramadaan’ at the lake, which involves cleaning, plucking out weeds and planting new saplings. It creates awareness among children and adults alike on cleanliness and hygiene, and solicits funds from lake users and volunteers. “We’ll do this again on Independence Day and also hoist the flag here,” said a resident who volunteered to clean the premises along with his daughter.
According to Rai, their initiative has brought satisfactory results, and is worth the risk and trouble. Concurred Ramachandran, another member of the Trust: “It’s a peaceful place away from pollution and noise, and hundreds of people come here for a walk every day.”