Hebbal, Nagawara Lake Projects Reclaim 21 Acres Of Encroached Land For Wetlands And Walking Tracks

Bengaluru's Hebbal lake and Nagawara lake are undergoing major transformation works after the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) reclaimed more than 21 acres of encroached lake land, with drone visuals of a newly created island inside Nagawara lake now drawing widespread attention online.

Officials said the reclaimed land is now being used for lake restoration activities including wetlands, desilting works, walking tracks and water flow correction measures aimed at improving storage capacity and ecological balance around both lakes.

At Hebbal lake, authorities reportedly recovered over 10 acres of land that had allegedly been occupied beyond permitted limits by the Fisheries Research and Information Centre located beside the lake.

According to officials, the centre was originally allotted nearly one acre but later expanded fish breeding activities across more than 10 acres inside the lake premises. Authorities said this also obstructed a major inlet and altered the natural inflow of water into Hebbal lake.

The reclaimed area is now being converted into wetland zones under the GBA Project Implementation Unit. Officials said the wetlands are intended to naturally filter pollutants while slowing and directing incoming water safely into the lake.

Monsoon Ready! ⛈️✅

The BSCC has completed desilting the storm water drains from Basapura Lake outlet to the Begur Lake inlet! 🏗️

We’ve cleared the path to ensure smooth water flow and prevent flooding in our neighborhoods this season. 🌊✨

Lets keep our drains debris-free!… pic.twitter.com/tUcDg8Q2a1

— Greater Bengaluru Authority (@GBA_office) May 15, 2026

Hebbal lake is also part of a larger World Bank-assisted lake restoration programme covering multiple lakes across Bengaluru.

The redevelopment works include desilting, construction of new inlets and outlets, wetland creation and a walking path around the lake.

Meanwhile, Nagawara lake has emerged as one of the most talked-about projects after drone visuals of a new island under construction surfaced on social media.

Officials said more than 11 acres of encroached land at Nagawara lake has now been recovered after long-standing litigation and land record disputes.

The island is reportedly being built using silt removed from Nagawara lake itself. Authorities said the decision was taken mainly to reduce the cost of transporting silt to the Mittaganahalli landfill located nearly 15 km away.

According to officials, the island has been designed with a spiral-shaped base along with a pond within the structure so that the lake's holding capacity is not reduced.

Officials said the current redevelopment phase focuses mainly on ecological restoration instead of commercial construction around the lakes.

The projects are expected to improve water storage, regulate inflow channels, reduce flooding risks and create better public spaces around the lakes through walking tracks and wetland zones.

Authorities also believe the restoration works could improve environmental conditions in surrounding residential areas as Bengaluru continues facing increasing pressure on its urban lake systems.