Meet Usha Rajagopalan: The Inspiring Shero Behind the Revitalization of Puttenahalli Lake in Sustainable Living

In 2006, Usha Rajagopalan and her family moved to Bengaluru with dreams of her becoming a full-time writer. But what she encountered in her new neighborhood changed her path.

They settled near Puttenahalli Lake, only to find it plagued by pollution. Sewage tainted the water, trash floated everywhere, and crows scavenged through the waste. Usha grew up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where her father, an IFS officer, taught her to value nature. This experience made it impossible for her to ignore the lake’s plight. She thought, “What would my father say if I stayed silent?”

Her past experience working with Verghese Kurien, the man behind India’s ‘white revolution,’ also inspired her. “He taught me to be brave,” she recalls.

Usha began writing letters to newspapers and local authorities. But she realized that words alone wouldn’t restore the lake. “An idea isn’t enough unless you act on it,” she said. Partnering with a friend from ABIDe (Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure and Development Task Force), Usha worked hard to include Puttenahalli Lake in the BBMP’s (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) restoration plans. By 2010, efforts to rejuvenate the lake began, leading to the creation of the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT).

In 2011, PNLIT signed an important agreement with BBMP to protect the lake. They raised funds to divert sewage and allow rainwater to fill the lake. Despite setbacks, including a disappointing first monsoon, they pushed forward, collaborating with various organizations to improve water quality. By July 27, 2016, the lake overflowed for the first time in years. Today, it spans 13 acres and is a habitat for over 122 bird species, 50 butterfly species, 500 trees, and vibrant aquatic life.

PNLIT has organized more than 500 events to raise environmental awareness and has partnered with over 800 volunteers from the community.

Yet, the struggle for lake conservation continues. A nearby slum settlement has grown rapidly, leading to increased littering and challenges in protecting the area. What started with a few families has now swelled to over a hundred, complicating efforts to maintain the lake’s integrity. Usha and PNLIT have continually followed up with local government to address these issues. In 2019, the high court ordered action, but progress has stalled. Despite a court eviction order in July 2022, the situation remains unresolved.

Usha believes in the critical need to safeguard urban green spaces. “Development should be thoughtful and not at the expense of nature,” she emphasizes. “While we may not have all the power, we can voice what needs to change.”

Even after years of dedication, Usha continues to advocate for the lake. “Since 2008, we’ve faced many challenges. It takes persistence and patience to make a difference. We do this work voluntarily, even when I could have been writing,” she reflects.

Her vision isn’t just about saving the lake; it’s about revitalizing it. Under Usha’s guidance, PNLIT has planted trees, created gardens, installed aerators, and constructed floating biofilter islands. Today, Puttenahalli Lake is more than a water body—it’s a thriving sanctuary.

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