From A Garbage Dump To India's Largest Floating Island, Bengaluru Lake In Limca Book Of Records

While Bellandur and Varthur lake are spewing toxic chemicals and foam that has made surroundings increasingly toxic, Hebbagodi lake, on the other hand, is topping charts for being the best example of lake revival process.

The Times of India reported that Hebbagodi which was once a garbage dump in an electronics city has now entered the Limca Book of Records for having India¡¯s largest floating artificial island. The island which has an area of 12,000 square feet is covered with greenery as well as water bodies that cut through the vegetation.

Photo: BCCL/Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw pointing towards the artificial floating island at Hebbagodi lake

Here plants grow hydroponically, a method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. The island comprises of rafts that help this process and also act as cleaning agents, the floating rafts are built with reused PVC pipes.

The idea is to maintain and improve the water quality by removing excess nutrients and maintain the pH levels anywhere between 6.5 and 8.5 which is considered normal.

Photo: BCCL/The artificial floating island

Spread over 35 acres with a 2km perimeter and located in Anekal taluk of Bengaluru Urban district, the lake¡¯s journey back to glory began in August 2016 when biotech major Biocon India and its subsidiary, Syngene International, took up the lake revival project under their corporate social responsibility programme.

The weed on the was used to spread green cover around the lake using a deweeding operation. Energy-efficient cascading aerators were installed to increase the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. Underground conduits were laid to address sewage spills and stench. Silt removing operations were also performed.

Photo: BCCL

A 1.5 km long bund or an embankment was constructed using 67,000 cubic meters of soil to contain the lake¡¯s water-holding capacity said retired wing commander, GB Athri to TOI who played a major role in the lake revival.

Given Bengaluru has come down to only 34 lakes in 2018 from 250 in 1960, it is imperative for the government to revive more and more lakes.