Bengaluru, once celebrated as the “Garden City” and the “City of Lakes,” has become a poignant example of how urbanization, unchecked development, and poor planning can devastate a city’s natural beauty. Its unique topography, once marked by rolling hills, lush greenery, and a network of interconnected lakes, allowed for a climate that was the envy of many. The city’s natural features had all the makings of a perfect hill station. However, in the rush to modernize and expand, especially during the post-independence era, this beauty was gradually eroded, leaving behind a concrete jungle.
Bengaluru’s Unique Topography: A Hill Station in Disguise
Bengaluru, unlike many Indian cities, was never a flatland. The city was nestled among hills and valleys, with undulating terrain creating natural basins that captured rainwater. These basins formed interconnected lakes, which were the lifeblood of the city. With its elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by mountains, hills, and hillocks, the climate of Bengaluru was cool and temperate, offering the charm of a hill station despite its rapid growth as an urban center.
Historically, Bengaluru was known for its 1,000 lakes, many of which were man-made, designed to harvest rainwater and support agriculture, drinking water, and other daily needs. In the 1960s, the city was clean, green, and dotted with trees, lakes, and open spaces. Old Bengaluru was known for its picturesque landscape, with the terrain rising and falling within a kilometer’s radius in many parts of the city. It was not just a place of utility but a space of beauty—a city in harmony with nature.
The Fateful Decision to Replace Mysuru: A Rush to Urbanization
The destruction of Bengaluru’s natural beauty can be traced back to a critical juncture in its history: the decision to turn Bengaluru into the new capital of the state, instead of Mysuru. Mysuru, a city steeped in history and culture, had served as the seat of power for the Wodeyar dynasty and was known for its planned infrastructure, palaces, and calm pace of life. But Bengaluru, strategically located and with its cool climate, was seen as a potential administrative and commercial hub. Unfortunately, city planners did not anticipate the scale of urbanization that would follow this decision, and more critically, they lacked a long-term vision for sustainable growth.
As Bengaluru transformed into a bustling metropolis, the priorities shifted. The focus was on rapid expansion to accommodate an ever-increasing population, driven by migration, industrialization, and the growth of IT and other sectors. What was once a city surrounded by hills, valleys, and lakes was suddenly seen as real estate—valuable land that could be sold to developers, educational institutions, and industrial enterprises.
Destruction of Hills: From Pristine Beauty to Urban Sprawl
The hills, which once gave Bengaluru its scenic beauty and ecological balance, were among the first casualties of this development. Many of the hillocks and highlands were parceled off to educational trusts and real estate developers, who flattened these natural formations to make way for institutions, residential layouts, and commercial establishments.
Without the hills, Bengaluru lost its natural drainage systems, which had allowed rainwater to flow down into the lakes. The lakes, once interconnected by channels that carried water from higher altitudes to lower basins, were either encroached upon or allowed to dry up. As hills were flattened and lakes disappeared, the city’s ecosystem was thrown out of balance.
Educational trusts, while important, were handed large swathes of land that were once part of the city’s green cover. Many of these areas were on higher ground, which provided natural catchment for rainwater. With these lands developed into campuses, buildings, and institutions, there was little thought given to preserving the natural environment or ensuring that the city’s hydrology remained intact.
The Collapse of the “City of Lakes”
Bengaluru’s lakes, once numbering in the thousands, became victims of the rapid urbanization and shortsighted planning. As more and more residential layouts were built, many of the lakes were filled in to create prime real estate. Others were neglected, leading to pollution, encroachment, and eventual disappearance. The intricate system of tanks (lakes) that allowed the city to harvest rainwater, recharge its groundwater, and prevent flooding was gradually destroyed.
By the 1980s and 1990s, Bengaluru’s once-famous lakes had either disappeared or become polluted cesspools, used for dumping sewage and industrial waste. The disappearance of the lakes and water bodies exacerbated water scarcity, and the city began relying heavily on external water sources, such as the Cauvery River, to meet its growing demand. The lakes, which once acted as flood buffers, could no longer prevent waterlogging, leading to chronic flooding in many parts of the city during the monsoon.
A City Choking on Its Own Growth
Today, the destruction that began decades ago continues unabated. The unchecked sprawl of Bengaluru, combined with poor urban planning, has led to severe environmental degradation. Hills that once dotted the landscape are now rare, and the lakes that survived are few and far between, surrounded by unplanned urban growth. Green spaces have been replaced with concrete high-rises, and the cool, pleasant climate that Bengaluru was once known for has given way to rising temperatures and worsening air pollution.
The legacy of destruction continues, with little regard for the city’s ecological heritage. New development projects often ignore the importance of preserving what little is left of the city’s natural landscape. Despite efforts by some activists and environmentalists to protect the remaining lakes and green spaces, the pressures of rapid urbanization continue to win out.
Lessons Not Learned
Bengaluru’s transformation from a green, hill-station-like city to a congested urban sprawl holds important lessons for other cities and hill stations facing similar pressures. It demonstrates the dangers of prioritizing short-term development gains over long-term sustainability and ecological preservation.
In a world grappling with climate change and environmental degradation, Bengaluru’s story serves as a cautionary tale. It shows how a lack of foresight, vision, and respect for natural landscapes can lead to the irreversible destruction of a city’s natural beauty and livability. The city’s planners, in their haste to turn Bengaluru into a modern capital, failed to account for the impact their decisions would have on future generations. Today, the city pays the price for their shortsightedness, and the pristine beauty that once defined Bengaluru is but a distant memory.
Conclusion: A Path Forward?
While the damage done to Bengaluru’s natural landscape is severe, all is not lost. There are still opportunities to reclaim some of the city’s ecological heritage through sustainable urban planning, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and the revival of its remaining lakes and green spaces. However, this requires political will, public support, and a shift in mindset towards valuing long-term environmental health over short-term development gains.
Bengaluru’s history and topography could have made it one of the most beautiful hill stations in the world. Instead, it stands as a reminder of how easily such natural beauty can be destroyed in the name of progress. To prevent other cities from suffering the same fate, urban planners must take heed of Bengaluru’s mistakes and prioritize sustainability, ecological preservation, and respect for natural landscapes in their development plans. Only then can we hope to strike a balance between growth and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the next generation inherits cities that are as beautiful and livable as they are modern.