Bengaluru is on the brink of an unprecedented water crisis, with experts predicting the possibility of “zero water days” in the near future.

Key Insights:

  • Prafulla Saligram, secretary of the Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action (SOCHARA), emphasizes the need for “communitisation,” which involves active community participation in social welfare initiatives to tackle water issues effectively. She highlighted that Bengaluru once had around 400 lakes, which have largely disappeared due to unchecked urban growth, leading to increased reliance on external water sources.
  • Saligram stated, “At SOCHARA, we address health determinants like equity and access for the underprivileged. We engage neighborhoods like Maya Bazaar and Anjanapura in communitisation efforts to empower residents to voice their concerns.”
  • K Subramanian, a member of the Hennur Taskers group, echoed the sentiment that community involvement is vital. He noted, “We run campaigns with children to raise awareness about the city’s water crisis, promote the use of recycled water, and monitor local lakes. Citizens are willing to help, but government support is crucial.”
  • Veena Srinivasan, Director of Well Labs, highlighted the limited yet essential role of citizen groups. She mentioned their function as watchdogs against illegal encroachments and their role as liaisons between various governmental agencies. However, she stressed that citizens cannot address the city’s larger infrastructure challenges alone.

Experts agree that community engagement and support from the government are crucial to reversing the current water crisis and ensuring sustainable water management for Bengaluru.

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