This dried lake in Bengaluru is now a recharged three-acre freshwater body | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: A long-neglected lake on the city’s southern outskirts has been revived into a 15-feet-deep freshwater body under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. Located in Bukasagara and Nisarga Layouts of Kallabalu gram panchayat in Anekal Taluk, the three-acre Muthurayanakunte lake was earlier filled with sewage, weeds, and construction debris.The restoration was led by HandsOnCSR in partnership with HSO India, a business solutions firm. Work began in Feb 2024, and included desilting, deepening, bund strengthening, and repairs to the inlet-outlet systems to improve water retention and stormwater flow.Officials from the rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) department had flagged the condition of smaller waterbodies in early 2023, prompting local bodies to identify potential sites for revival. Muthurayanakunte was shortlisted and taken up for restoration with support from the local panchayat.This year’s good monsoon has already filled the lake, which is now helping recharge groundwater in the region. The lake was formally inaugurated on July 24, with community members, panchayat officials, and NGO representatives taking part in a lake walk, tree plantation and community lunch.Mico Nagraj, a resident of Nisarga Layout, said the lake had become completely dry and invisible. “A few months ago, we even heard rumours of a cheetah hiding here, it was that wild. Now, it’s a beautiful waterbody. We’re proud and will protect it,” he said.The project also preserved a historical temple and kalyani (tank) adjacent to the lake. Gurunandan Rao M, founder, Hands on CSR, said, “The responsibility for its upkeep and plantation will be handed over to the local community. We will continue to support the panchayat for three-year periodic maintenance and help promote community-led stewardship for sustainability of the lake.”