Puttenahalli Lake deteriorates as BBMP agreement with citizen trust expires

Puttenahalli Lake in Bengaluru is gradually slipping back into a neglected state following the expiration of a formal agreement between a citizen-led trust and local civic authorities, which has restricted community-led maintenance and conservation efforts. The Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) can no longer independently maintain the lake or easily secure corporate funding since its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) expired.

The trust’s involvement with the waterbody dates back to 2010 when the BBMP undertook the rejuvenation of Puttenahalli Lake. In May 2011, the BBMP invited PNLIT to sign an MoU for the lake's maintenance, making it the first citizen-led group in Bengaluru to formally enter into such an agreement. This arrangement ensured conservation and community engagement for nearly 15 years until the MoU expired in 2020. Around the same time, a Karnataka High Court order held that the government could not enter into lake-related agreements with corporate entities.

Without the active MoU, the trust's role has been reduced to activities that any member of the public can perform during visiting hours. Arathi Manay, Managing Trustee of PNLIT, explained that the MoU previously gave the trust the flexibility to undertake maintenance, organise activities, and respond to issues at short notice. It also provided the credibility needed to secure corporate funding for larger projects.

Before the governance change, PNLIT spent nearly ₹8 lakh annually on maintaining the lake. The trust had engaged three to four gardeners and installed a drip irrigation system along the lake’s periphery.

Today, the impact of the reduced community participation is visible. The drip irrigation system is no longer functional, leaving several plants and trees unwatered. Areas that were once green spaces are now covered with dried leaves and withering vegetation.

Narayana G., who has visited the lake for 13 years, noted that the deterioration has become increasingly noticeable over the past six months. He observed that several plants have died and migratory bird sightings have reduced during winter due to the declining quality of tree cover and the waterbody.

Usha Rajagopalan, co-founder of PNLIT, stated that interventions requiring funding, planning, or direct involvement in upkeep are no longer possible. She suggested that the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) must explore ways to formally involve local communities, as they are best placed to monitor changes and ensure regular upkeep.