Saul Kere Lake | Kaikondrahalli Bengaluru

Painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) fishing at Saul kere. video by Sharan Mishra View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sharan Mishra (@sharanmishra)

  In the months of March(end) and April, a group of 50+ pelicans made Saul kere their home. And for us nature lovers and birders, it was a sight to behold

Brown-headed Gull soaring effortlessly over Saul Kere Lake

Recent images of Bengaluru's drying lakes have sparked public concern. However, a dry lake is not necessarily a dying one. Many urban lakes in India are naturally seasonal, rain-fed wetlands , designed to fill during the monsoon and recede during the dry months. Seasonal drying is an integral part of their ecological cycle. As Bengaluru undergoes administrative restructuring under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, efforts are also underway by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to augment several lakes with treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs). While this approach aims to maintain water levels and reduce sewage discharge into water bodies, ecologists have raised concerns about its long-term ecological consequences. Treated wastewater may differ from natural rainwater in its chemical and microbial composition, potentially altering wetland ecosystems and affecting native biodiversity. The city's flooding challenges are also often linked to its l...

 https://citizenmatters.in/bengalurus-saul-kere-from-biodiversity-haven-to-construction-zone/ The article examines the rapid ecological decline of Saul Kere , a lake near Sarjapur Road in Bengaluru, due to sewage pollution, unchecked urbanisation, encroachment, and infrastructure development. Once a thriving wetland supporting rich biodiversity, the lake is now under increasing environmental pressure. Birdwatchers recorded nearly 180 bird species in 2019, while the eBird database lists 213 species , making Saul Kere one of Bengaluru's most important bird habitats. However, sewage inflow and habitat degradation have caused a noticeable decline in bird populations and repeated fish kills. Residents and conservation groups attribute the pollution to sewage entering the lake through stormwater drains, overflowing sewage channels, underground drainage pipelines laid by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and wastewater discharged by nearby establishments. They argue ...

 Shruti Kalyankar’s “Saul Kere and I — Throwback to a Lake Love Affair” is a heartfelt reflection on how a neighbourhood lake in Bengaluru transformed her into a passionate birder while becoming a place of friendship, learning, and belonging. What began as a shortcut to work soon evolved into a daily ritual of observing birds, meeting experienced birders, and discovering the joy of identifying species. Through monthly bird walks and personal exploration, Saul Kere became both an outdoor classroom and a refuge from the pressures of everyday life. As her connection with the lake deepened, Shruti witnessed its rich biodiversity, from migratory ducks and jacanas to kingfishers and cormorants. However, she also watched the wetland deteriorate due to human intervention. Following Bengaluru’s floods, dredging, unchecked sewage inflow, invasive water hyacinth, and other ecological disturbances degraded the lake’s habitats, causing bird populations to decline and many birders to move else...

The Times of India article reports that work on the proposed expansion of the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Saul Kere exposed coordination gaps among Bengaluru's civic agencies. The Bengaluru East City Corporation (BECC) halted the ongoing work after officials said they could not verify whether the required approvals had been obtained. BECC maintained that its permission was necessary because the lake falls under its jurisdiction, while the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) stated that the project had received government approval and that clearance from other agencies would be completed. The episode highlighted the need for better inter-agency coordination, clearer approval processes, and stronger communication when undertaking infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas. BWSSB's Saul Kere STP expansion faces BECC stop-work order over missing approvals, highlighting coordination gaps with KTCDA and lake jurisdiction issues. https://timesofindia.i...

  Unlike larger wetlands around Bengaluru (such as Kaikondrahalli Lake or Madiwala Lake), Saul Kere packs an unusually high diversity into a relatively compact area. The combination of open water, reedbeds, mudflats, grass, and mature trees allows you to see:  40–70 species on a typical morning, 80+ species on an excellent winter visit, and over 100 species in a month with consistent coverage. Watch Birding at Saul Kere video on YT With over 212 species , Saul Kere has produced unexpected records over the years, including: uncommon ducks during good rainfall years, scarce raptors, unusual shorebirds during migration, infrequent owls and night birds, and other local vagrants that attract birders. Because the lake lies on a migration route, every winter has the potential to produce one or two unexpected additions. This lake supports a broad mix of habitats. Waterbirds (about 40–50 species) These are the main attraction and include: Ducks and teals (seasona...

  For a complete biodiversity list visit  https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-of-saul-kere 

 You can find the complete report here  https://biometrust.org/saul-kere-report/  Summary of the report Authored by Shreyas Sati and Alana Helin as part of the BIOME Trust Wetlands & Lakes Project Saul Kere sits on 61 acres of land in Kaikondrahalli, Bangalore just south of RMZ Ecospace and RMZ EcoWorld. An STP with a capacity of 100 KLD was under construction at the time of our visit on 3 July 2017. There are five sources of potential inflow into the lake, four of which would discharge untreated water into the lake during flood events, and one outflow from the lake. Unless there is flooding, the naalas will flow into a diversion drain and go around the lake to converge with any water that may leave through the lake outlet. Kaikondrahalli Lake drains into Saul Kere, which then flows north – possibly towards Bellandur. While there aren’t many extra amenities, there is a well-maintained walking path as well as a few benches around the lake. The wetland attracts many bir...

  Organised by Blr Birders -  https://blrbirders.com/  First Sunday Outing — Sowl Kere (Saul Kere) Time: Meet at 6:45 AM | Walk begins at 7:00 AM Meeting Point: Google Map (Near Adarsh Gem and Ecospace back gate; Parking available.) Walk details: • Duration: Till around 9:45 AM (lake gates close at 10 AM) • Terrain: Level, approximately 2 km around the lake • Suitable for all ages—you may leave whenever you wish. What to wear: • Dull-coloured clothes • Hats/caps • Comfortable walking shoes (avoid slippers or thin-soled sandals—the path is unpaved) •⁠ ⁠Rainwear or warm clothing, depending on the weather forecast What to bring: • Binoculars, bird books/apps • Camera • Notebook/sketchpad and pencil (optional) • Drinking water and snacks Nearby facilities: Restaurants and washrooms are available at • The Bay, EcoSpace Food Court: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aycdV3gUcrkpRmt18?g_st=ipc (Paid parking) • The Marketplace, Adarsh Palm Retreat (approx. 500 m from the lake, paid valet p...