Amid Bengaluru water crisis, lessons from open wells in Cubbon Park and Lalbagh

As Bengaluru battles water scarcity this summer, a case is being made for reviving open wells after the recent experiments at the city’s two major parks—Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.

Ram Prasad, founder of Friends of Lakes, the organisation at the forefront of the 2017 Cubbon Park rejuvenation project as well as the latest endeavour in Lalbagh, is of the view that unconfined shallow aquifers are a significant historical source of water.

“Our primary focus during the first year was on rejuvenating the (seven) open wells as part of the Cubbon Park rejuvenation project, aimed at bolstering water security. It’s important to recognise that water from these wells can be directed into unconfined aquifers, which serve as a valuable source of water,” he explained. “Subsequently, in 2018 and 2019, we embarked on the installation of recharge wells. Cubbon Park now has 74 recharge wells.”

Traditional well diggers, known as mannu vaddars, who had been marginalised after the rise of borewells, have found a renewed source of livelihood through these initiatives. “For mannu vaddars it was a livelihood project. They have been digging wells for the past eight-nine centuries but started losing their jobs with the increasing drilling of borewells. So these recharge wells became a source of livelihood for them,” Prasad said.

However, challenges remain. “The biggest challenge is obtaining permission and convincing officials,” Prasad said. “We have been advocating the importance and necessity of recharge wells for quite some time. But unfortunately, nobody was paying attention.”

“Before the current water crisis, officials would dismiss our requests, labelling us as mere contractors rather than recognising our scientific efforts to address the crisis,” he added.

The organisation wishes to launch a “million recharge wells” campaign with the goal of establishing at least 10 lakh recharge wells. The programme aims to make it easier to replenish unconfined shallow aquifers, assuring a steady supply of potable water for the long term.

Regular use of open wells key

“We have told the officials very clearly that only when you keep using the wells will they be clean and only then will you be able to use the water. When you do not use the well daily, the water doesn’t remain good,” Prasad said.

In collaboration with Friends of Lakes, India Cares Foundation and DCB Bank, the horticulture department recently excavated a traditional open well, delving to a depth of 34 feet, at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. This open well is projected to yield a minimum of 30,000 litres of water every two days. It is yet to be inaugurated but final preparations are underway.

Muskaan Kousar is an intern with The Indian Express in Bengaluru.