BANGALORE: When American businessman Warren Buffet said ‘What we learn from history is that people don’t learn from history,’ he might as well be talking about the water woes in Bangalore city. As the water crisis mounts, tanks and lakes, once the lifeline for many a dry taps in Bangalore houses, now run dry thanks to neglect and over-development.Did you know Bangalore’s water crisis is not new? Arkavathi, a tributary of river Cauvery originating from Nandi Hills, was the source of water in Bangalore. During the British era, the Cantonment area had a special arrangement for water. In the book ‘Bangalore through the Centuries’, Fazlal Hussain says, "The first attempt to provide protected water supply to the town began in 1873, with the erection of a chain of tanks known as Miller’s tanks, in the Cantonment area. This construction was necessitated because water pumped from the Ulsoor, Shoolay and Pudupacherry tanks was too inadequate to meet the growing needs of the Civil and Military station. In the City (pete) area, water was drawn from the ‘Karanjee’ system. Unfiltered natural water was supplied from Dharmambudhi and Sampangi tanks, supplemented by water from ponds and wells."The smooth sailing ended when the great famine struck in 1875-1877, when the monsoon failed to come for more than two years and all tanks in Bangalore went dry. Soon after the famine ended, Bangalore saw a huge influx of people coming from surrounding areas. To satisfy the water needs of the growing population, the Hessarghatta reservoir was built by the farsighted Mysore Maharaja. This was designed to serve both the City and cantonment. BL Rice, in the Mysore Gazetteer writes, "at a cost of 19 and a half lakhs a pure and abundant water supply has now been provided, drawn from the Hessarghatta tank, 13 miles to the north-west. The water is pumped up to the top of a hill at Banavar, and from there runs by gravitation through cast-iron pipes to the settling and filter-beds above Sankey’s reservoir to the west, and thence to a subterranean reservoir at the Race-course, whence it is distributed in iron mains to all parts of the City, and drawn off at stand-pipes or hydrants at suitable points in the streets."Thus the Hessarghatta Reservoir became the main source of water to the city for a long time. In 1925, however, the Reservoir ran dry for a year, this lead to frantic efforts to restore the water supply. A larger water work at Tippagondanahalli on Magadi Road was constructed. Now the water in the reservoir is used by localites. Despite having a rich history, Hessarghatta is now more famous for the dance school Nrityagram it houses. Also, it is home to a variety of birds and animals. Needless to say, it is one of the favourite haunts of the camera toting birding community. Unfortunately, at a time when water scarcity is plaguing our city, Hessarghatta is under pressure to be developed. One can argue that steps can be taken to replenish the tank instead of commercialising the area. This would not only help solve water woes but also make sure the grasslands of Hessarghatta remain intact thus preserving its ecology. Ironically, Hessarghatta, that once saved the city, is itself in need of a saviour.
Comments
0 comment