Hebbal lake, Lake in northern Bangalore, India

Hebbal Lake lies in northern Bangalore where Bellary Road (National Highway 7) meets the Outer Ring Road. It is a dammed valley tank, formed by bunds, that covered 75 hectares in a 2000 study, with plans to extend it to 143 hectares. Two artificial islands built from desilting soil serve as roosts for water birds.

Epigraphic evidence links the site to the 8th century CE: the Bhoopasandra inscription, studied by epigraphist P. V. Krishnamurthy, records a grant to a Durga idol near the Hebbal lake bund and names people in agrarian and water-management roles. The Kannada Wikipedia states that Kempe Gowda had the lake built in 1537, among the tanks he constructed. In 2002 management passed from the Karnataka State Forest Department to the Lake Development Authority.

This lake serves as a gathering place for bird watchers who come to observe water birds and migratory species in their natural habitat. The protected area draws people interested in connecting with local wildlife.

Two artificial islands within the lake offer good viewing points for bird watching from different vantage points. Access is possible from multiple sides and ground conditions can vary depending on the season and water level.

In the 1990s, scientists introduced Argentine weevils to control water hyacinth growth caused by excess nutrients in the water. This biological solution prevented the plant from spreading excessively and helped stabilize the ecosystem.