Nature lovers celebrate Lingambudhi lake's 184th year

Environmentalists confident of lake becoming haven for birds, eco hotspot

Can you imagine a Day for lake? A group of nature lovers in the city, on Thursday celebrated Lingambudhi Day, a rare celebration when lake beds are turning into residential hubs.

Thanks to the forest department which recently declared the lake area as reserved forest and also formed a forum involving green lovers — Lingambudhi Forest Committee.

In a first, the committee planned the celebration in the lap of nature itself. A ‘kuteera’ (cottage) near the main gate of the lake, was the podium.

K B Sadanand, botanist recalled the days when the lake was dedicated in the year 1828, exactly 184 years ago. The then queens of erstwhile ruler Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Devajammanni and Lingajammanni took initiative in constructing the lakes — Varuna by the former and Lingambudhi by the latter. According to them, building a lake was a noble deed.

For Sadanand, the lake taught him the first lessons of bird watching. He appealed to the forest department to develop it as a bird sanctuary adding to the existing tourist spots. He also suggested for nature watch and walk, that could bring people near to environment.

Kushalappa who had served as conservator of forest between 1988 and 91 recalled the days when the lake had lost its charm. He stressed on seeking help from Lake Development Authority in Bangalore to develop the lake further.

Chengappa, who also had served as the conservator mooted the idea of planting hill paddy a type of plant that attracts birds in large numbers. Retired chief engineer H R Bapu Satyanarayana offered to explore the possibilities of creating a conducive atmosphere for the flow of water into the lake.

U N Ravikumar a known environmentalist and also the chairman of Lingambudhi Forest Committee said the lake that was earlier reaching its brim once in eight years, had overflowed twice in the same period in the recent years. The catchment area of the lake alone is 40 square metres. Strange is, the city receives 800 million litres of water through rainfall every year, but 1,800 million litres of water evaporates. The need of the hour is to arrest the water that evaporates and enrich the pristine environs. He exuded confidence that the lake would be a haven for birds.

Inspired, a local woman who had penned a poem about the lake recited the same to the applause of the gathering. Barti Olivera sang nature songs in Kannada lending a natural touch to the cool breeze.

Conservator of forest D N Gaonkar was also present.