Bengaluru was once known for its lakes and has undergone many problems of neglect and pollution in recent years. To re‑establish them as important and restore them to the public agenda, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has formulated a new plan. Boating will be launched in 10 of the city’s key lakes as part of the scheme. The project is being developed jointly with Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority and Tourism Development Corporation.
The city boasts some 183 lakes, only a few are cared for sufficiently to accommodate recreational activities. The new strategy emphasized lake management and eco‑friendly tourism. Boating will be integrated in selected lakes with no disturbance of ecology. Lake development aims at developing new ones, not just water resources and biological reserves, but leisure and community spots, as well.
Lakes have long been in the centre of Bengaluru’s identity. Long urban development and poor care have caused many of them to become contaminated or encroached upon. By reinvigorating boat and tourism activities, the officials hope to encourage better operations, generate some revenue and help drive awareness of the importance of lake protection. It also aims to create safe recreational spaces for citizens inside the city.
Here are the 10 lakes proposed where boating facilities will be established, highlighting the need for the construction of amenities:
- Halasuru Lake
- Kaggadasapura Lake
- Nayandahalli Lake
- Sankey Lake
- Yelahanka Lake
- Rachenahalli Lake
- Vengayyanakere
- Begur Lake
- Rampura Lake
- Madiwala Lake
These lakes were selected on account of their size, locality, and their ability to attract tourists.
Officials have said that boating will come with stringent environmental safeguards added. The plan also will involve the use of sustainable boats, waste management and keeping an eye on water quality. The aim is to reconcile tourism with conservation, so that the lakes stay a healthy place for birds, fish and local biodiversity to move about.
Bengaluru’s lakes boating project is not just a leisure activity but also part of a broader drive to restore the city’s water bodies and re‑establish connectivity between people and them. If it works, it might take ancient lakes that once stood empty and transform them into vibrant communities, as if to remind citizens of Bengaluru’s history as the “city of lakes.”
