Bengaluru's citizens are fighting to save lakes, avoid a dystopian future

According to government records, the city had 262 water bodies in 1960. Eventually, only 81 water bodies remained and of these only 34 are recognised as live lakes

It’s a little after 8 am on a Saturday and the morning crowd of walkers and joggers is gathered at Ulsoor Lake in Bengaluru. Unlike other days, instead of going around the lake, they line up to sign on as volunteers who want to “reclaim Ulsoor”. More people join them.

A family of four, having already signed up earlier, is staring down an aisle leading to one of the many islands that dot the 123.6-acre lake. “We need at least 500 people for this aisle alone,” says the elderly gentleman in the family. “And we need lorries, lots and lots