The Groundwater Gamble.

Hey there! This is Part 2 of a 3 part series called ‘Liquid Life’, where I hope to explore the true meaning of water, and delve into its fascinating depths, drop by drop. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, you’re missing out! – Mind the Water Gap Please.

The city of a 1000 lakes or so the legend goes… In the ancient chronicles of the city once known as ‘Vengaluru’, there lies the tale of a once grand reservoir, the mighty Dharmambudhi Lake (in case you’re wondering where – the Majestic bus stand). This fabled water body finds its earliest mention in a thirteenth-century inscription, which spoke of the lands nestled below the ‘big tank’ of Vengaluru. Late in the sixteenth century, a formidable war chieftain Kempe Gowda breathed life into our modern city of Bangalore, among the treasures of his new city, Dharmambudhi Lake – a vital source of life-giving water.

During the colonial era, the lake became a symbol of natural beauty, its sparkling waters greeted visitors with grand dance performances staged on floating platforms, even captivating Prince Albert himself. In times of drought, the lake’s importance was such that water from other reservoirs would be channelled into its depths, ensuring its survival and the sustenance of the city.

However, with time came progress, and along with it – change. The arrival of piped water in the mid-nineteenth century began to dim the lake’s significance. And by the early 1900s, Dharmambudhi was drained, its once-vibrant waters replaced by a grassy plain known as the ‘maidan’. As India embraced independence, the view of these former lakebeds shifted. They were seen not as remnants of the past but as opportunities for construction, and urbanisation. The memory of Dharmambudhi Lake has all but vanished, surfacing only during our infamous monsoon floods. The lake that once pulsed with life now exists only in tales, a forgotten jewel in the heart of Bangalore’s rich history.

By the 1960’s, only 280 lakes were left. It was the beginning of the end.

And today? Barely 80 lakes remain, mostly polluted and on the verge of being swallowed up to build swanky new office buildings or monstrous malls.

Bangalore’s groundwater issues and our ongoing water crisis extend far beyond the effects of a scorching summer. The problem began years ago… when we began to view these lakes as an opportunity for development, neglecting their true purpose. Not only did their fresh waters play a crucial role in enhancing the city’s microclimate, they had also been key in recharging groundwater resources and wells, and providing sustenance and economic support to generations of fishermen.

Let’s take a look at the big picture for a moment… India, as of today, has to pump more groundwater than any other country in the WORLD. Yeah, you heard me right. And more than 3/4 of it is used for irrigation in the parched states of Haryana and Punjab, where water-hungry crops like rice and wheat soak it all up. The water table is sinking by over 3 metres each year, largely because the government has made a questionable decision to rely on finite groundwater resources to avert widespread famine. The second problem is that farmers are now being offered free electricity, which means that more than 230 billion litres of groundwater is being extracted per day. Like wow – That’s no small number.

Now here’s what I think people are forgetting – Groundwater is a finite and soon, a non-renewable resource.

In Bangalore, the water table has plummeted to historic lows, with some areas experiencing a decline of 10 to 15 meters over the past months. According to reports, over 40% of Bangalore’s population now relies on water tankers, providing windfall gains for the tanker lobby, to exploit the situation. Ironically, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is furiously digging 2000 recharge pits and filling lakes with treated water in a desperate attempt to replenish the depleting groundwater, while tanker operators continue to capitalize on the crisis. I mean– to me it seems like trying to fill a bucket, but every time we turn our backs to get more water, someone empties half the bucket. We are being manipulated into believing that action is being taken, only to find out that the same water is what we are paying for.

So, the tale of Bangalore’s transformation from a city of a thousand lakes to one struggling with a severe water crisis is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked urbanization and mismanagement of natural resources.

It is imperative that we learn from our past and take immediate action to protect and restore Bangalore’s remaining water bodies. The government, along with private stakeholders and citizens, must prioritize the conservation and rejuvenation of lakes, implement stricter regulations on groundwater extraction, and invest in innovative water-saving technologies like rainwater harvesting, greywater usage, recycling etc.,

The untapped potential of rainwater is a torrential resource that’s criminally ignored. Imagine this: with our 2022 rainfall alone, we could have filled our city’s water demand by a staggering 25%. That’s a colossal 456 Million Litres per Day, harvested right from our rooftops in Bengaluru. This isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a wake-up call. The wolves of water waste have been hiding in plain sight, and it’s time we exposed them. Groundwater levels drop when extraction exceeds the natural recharge rate. Rainwater harvesting addresses this issue by enhancing the infiltration of water into the ground, thereby helping to restore and sustain groundwater levels.

By coming together and making conscious efforts towards sustainability, we can revive Bangalore’s water heritage and secure a more resilient and water-abundant future for the city. The time to act is now. We must not let the fate of all the lakes that have disappeared continue in the coming years, but rather use this moment as an urgent appeal for sustainable change. Namma Ooru? Bengaluru.

But hey! Before you go saving lakes, don’t forget to shut off the tap, have bucket baths, reuse water for your plants, and I’d say: just don’t play golf.

I’m doing my 1%, are you?

#savetheEarth #ClimateAction #nowornever #myonepercent #shalmalisirsi