Hebbagodi Lake: Once A Garbage Dump, Now India’s Largest Floating Island

The Limca Book of Records has opened its pages for a new entry. This time, Bengaluru’s Hebbagodi Lake has made its way to become the one to host India’s largest lake island that measures over 12,000 sq ft. Rafts containing strips of plants are growing hydroponically and are in return contributing to cleaning the lake. The rafts are made using PVC pipes.

The main aim is to maintain the pH level of water in the lake anywhere between normal standards of 6.5 to 8.5. Under their corporate social responsibility initiative, Biocon India took up the task of reviving the lake. An agreement was signed with the Government of Karnataka in October 2017 to this effect.

In the initial stages of the restoration, silt was removed and de-weeding was carried out, followed by composting the weed later on. To increase the level of dissolved oxygen in water, aerators have been installed and conduits have been laid underground to look into the sewage and stench.

Wing Commander GB Athri played a vital role in the initiative and ensured that the lake was brought back to life. Just about 34 lakes remain in Bengaluru, which was once famously known for its lakes.

Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw was quoted by Times of India as saying, “The government must ensure more lakes are revived. All stakeholders, including citizens, politicians and government officials must start taking ownership of the lakes.”