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Earliest history of creation of lakes in and around the city is traced to the founders of
Bangalore or Bengaluru –the Kempe Gowdas– in the Sixteenth century and later by the Wodeyars
of Mysore Kingdom and the British. Most of the lakes and tanks were manmade for purposes of
drinking water, irrigation and fishing needs and they have also favorably influenced microclimate
of the city. The lake waters have also served as “Dhobhi Ghats” or places where washer–men
(‘dhobis’ is the locale usage in India), have traditionally used them as a means of
livelihood for washing clothes and drying them. The lakes have also served to replenish
ground water resources in the vicinity, which are tapped through wells for drinking water.
In the 1960s the number of tanks and lakes was 280 and less than 80 in 1993.
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The burgeoning population growth of Bangalore and consequential urban sprawl has resulted in
conversion of many of the lake in to residential / commercial layouts. After the formation of
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), initiation was made to map the lakes in its
jurisdiction so as to plan implementation of measures for protection and rejuvenation of
many of the lakes that have been deteriorating.
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This portal is created specifically to provide information about the lakes in the BBMP area.
It is hoped that citizens of Bruhat Banagalore take active part in protecting the lakes and
provide constructive suggestions to BBMP in its endeavor to make Bruhat
Bangalore as the City of Lakes.
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Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
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