Seven lakes in Bengaluru might lastly be delivered to life by November, because the #Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is at the moment within the remaining levels of their rejuvenation, based on a progress report reviewed by The Hindu.

However, environmental activists and civic volunteers have raised issues about doable oversights that might hurt the ecological stability of those water our bodies and undermine years of rejuvenation efforts.

The lakes approaching completion embrace Kacharakanahalli Lake, Hulimavu Lake, Doddabidarakallu Lake, Gunjur Mouji Lake, Carmalaram Lake, #Hoodi Giddanakere, and Vengaiahnakere (Okay.R. Puram Lake).

Rejuvenation works beneath approach at Carmelaram Lake in Bengaluru. Activists have identified that lake rejuvenation tends to be human-centric, specializing in beautification and recreation fairly than ecological function. | Photo Credit: J. ALLEN EGENUSE

Vijaykumar Haridas, Chief Engineer, Lakes, confirmed that these initiatives shall be accomplished by November or by December. Except for Kacharakanahalli Lake, most are almost completed, with solely minor works like pedestrian pathways and fencing remaining, he mentioned. After rejuvenation, all seven lakes will fall beneath Category D – water high quality match for wildlife and fisheries.

Spanning over 240 acres collectively, these lakes have confronted important delays, some extending throughout 5 monsoons. Community teams, which have been advocating for his or her revival for years, now hope to see ecological restoration, together with the return of nesting birds and revival of fisheries.

Community expectations

Mithan Subbiah, lead volunteer at Hulimavu Kere Taranga, famous that almost 140 chook species have been noticed at Hulimavu Kere, a 100-acre lake excluding encroachments, based on information from eBird.

Activists have identified that lake rejuvenation tends to be human-centric, specializing in beautification and recreation fairly than ecological function. Ironically, they are saying, even this strategy is usually inconsistently executed. For instance, work on Hulimavu Kere solely accelerated after the world skilled extreme flooding, attracting public consideration and criticism of BBMP.

V. Ramprasad, of Friends of Lakes, emphasised that correct rejuvenation ought to meet three major aims: bettering groundwater, facilitating rainwater harvesting, and flood mitigation. “Several lakes lack sluice gates and sewage remedy crops, which hampers these objectives and reduces the work to beautification,” he mentioned. He burdened that lakes ought to solely be thought-about rejuvenated if they’re managed beneath correct Standard Operating Procedures and meet BIS 17663 requirements.

Concerns on the bottom

Zibi Jamal, a volunteer at Whitefield Rising, expressed reduction because the #Hoodi Giddanakere lake is lastly nearing completion. “Recent stories of algal blooms in rejuvenated lakes throughout town are regarding. The contractor for this venture should guarantee there are not any scientific lapses within the rejuvenation course of that might result in algal blooms or different environmental points,” Ms. Jamal mentioned.

Meanwhile, Hulimavu Kere, the biggest among the many seven lakes, faces problems with open defecation in surrounding areas. Ms. Subbiah believes correct fencing on particular sides of the lake is required.

Mr. Ramprasad identified in depth encroachments at Kacharakanahalli Lake. As per 1976 data, the lake initially lined 56 acres, however solely 16 acres remained when rejuvenation started.

Nithya, the chief engineer overseeing the venture, mentioned that some encroachments, together with a personal sports activities advanced and slum board constructions, have been cleared, rising the lake space to 22 acres. BBMP is coordinating with the #Slum Development Board to recuperate extra land.

According to official information, 435 huts, housing round 1,600 folks, are located within the encroached space. Ashok D.R., Commissioner of the #Karnataka #Slum Development Board, mentioned these households shall be rehabilitated to authorities housing in Bidarahalli, constructed by the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. BBMP will cowl 70% of the price of the brand new housing.

In addition to those seven lakes, BBMP can also be rejuvenating over 20 extra lakes with a finances of ₹50 crore. Another ₹65 crore, allotted beneath the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), shall be used to rejuvenate seven extra lakes: Hebbal, Nagawara, Sompura, Chikkabellandur, Arekere, Halsur, and Kalkere lakes.

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