Water Warrior: How Usha and her community transformed a dying Bengaluru lake

Looking at climate change and an ever-increasing population, water is a critical resource, on which hinges the future of the world. Every effort to conserve it, takes us a step forward on this journey.

At a time when lakes and ground water scarcity in the city of Bengaluru keep making headlines, Puttenahalli lake is a thriving ecosystem that supports 120+ birds and 500+ trees, and clean water – all thanks to Usha and her incredible team.

Meet Usha Rajagopalan, who turned a dying lake in the city into a green oasis by sheer perseverance and by getting the community involved, underscoring the fact that she is a true Force for Good.

In the 1960s, Bengaluru was a city of lakes, with over 280 of them. But by 2006, only 194 of them survived. Puttenahalli lake, near Usha’s home, was dying with sewage, debris and burning trash choking it daily. Usha began a campaign to get BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) to rejuvenate the lake. Along with three friends, she formed a trust – Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) – to nurture the lake. Usha got the community involved to sustain their efforts and they became the biggest supporters and protectors of the lake. Some donated money and some donated time and effort to clear the waste and weeds. Soon the mission and the lake became the pride of the community.

By 2012, BBMP made PNLIT the official citizen caretakers of the lake. Usha began using hydroponics to boost water quality. Together with community members, she turned PVC pipes into floating islands of plants that could absorb pollutants. When sewage from a nearby site started to flow into the lake, PNLIT fought back and won.

“Every single lake or pond, irrespective of its size, needs to be saved,” says Usha. “Our future lies in clean air and clean water. I think it is everybody’s responsibility, no matter where we are.”

Aditya Birla Group has partnered with The Better India to give voice to inspiring stories of people acting as #AForceForGood.