Bengaluru heading towards zero water days, warn experts

'We had around 400 lakes dating back 200 to 300 years ago. Due to unchecked growth, most of these have disappeared, and our dependence on external water sources has skyrocketed,' said Prafulla Saligram, secretary of the Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action.

Bengaluru: Water conservationists warn that Bengaluru is facing an unprecedented water crisis, potentially leading to "zero water days" in the near future.

Prafulla Saligram, secretary of the Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action (SOCHARA), advocates for "communitisation" or active community involvement in social welfare initiatives. She believes this approach could significantly address Bengaluru's water issues.

"We had around 400 lakes dating back 200 to 300 years ago. Due to unchecked growth, most of these have disappeared, and our dependence on external water sources has skyrocketed. At SOCHARA, we address health determinants such as equity, caste, religion and access for the underprivileged. To do this, we engage neighbourhoods like Maya Bazaar and Anjanapura in communitisation efforts, encouraging residents to participate in local meetings to highlight their issues,” she told DH.

Several members of residents' welfare groups echo the sentiment that communitisation can help alleviate Bengaluru's water crisis.

K Subramanian, a member of the Hennur Taskers group, said community engagement in his area is crucial.

“We run campaigns with children to raise awareness about the city’s water crisis, ensure the use of recycled water for watering plants and washing cars, and keep a watch on local lakes. Citizens are willing to do their part, but the government, as the main stakeholder, needs to support and amplify these efforts rather than work against them.”

Veena Srinivasan, Director of Well Labs, highlighted the role of citizens’ groups as essential but limited.

“Citizens’ groups act as watchdogs, particularly against illegal encroachments by real estate developers. They also serve as liaisons between various agencies like the BBMP, BWSSB and the Fisheries Department, which often do not communicate with one another. Citizens are often the first responders to crises, working to turn vicious cycles into virtuous ones. However, they alone cannot solve the larger infrastructure challenges facing the city.”