More lakes for development: LDA

More lakes for development: LDA
City's lakes are to be developed into tourist attractions
Times of India

Taking forward their agenda of lake restoration in the city, the Lake Development Authority (LDA) is nearing completion of restoring another two lakes - Jaraganahalli in J P Nagar and K R Puram lakes and intends to take up four more lakes immediately.

Speaking on the projects, Avani Kumar Varma, CEO of the LDA said, "we have desilted the two lake beds, provided embankment with silt and stone pitching, created islands for birds, provided jogging paths and have fenced the lake to protect it from vandalism. The projects have cost the LDA around Rs 5.4 crores put together".

The K R Puram with an area of 26.25 hectares had encroachments to an extent of 1.5 hectares and it has been removed. The Jaraganahalli lake, off Kanakapura Road, covers an area of 32.25 hectares. For integrated development of this lake, a project of about Rs 3.35 crores had been sanctioned under the National Lake Conservation Programme, he said adding that after restoring these two lakes they will next take up Jakkur Lake, Hosakere Lake (Kengeri), and Puttenahalli Lake (Yelahanka) at a cost of Rs 11 crores, and Bellandur Lake at a cost of Rs 5.5 crores involving a new technology 'bio-remedial measures'.

He said the authority formed to take remedial measures and to restore and revitalise the dying lakes and coordinate with various civic agencies for lakes development has been carrying out various programmes for lake conservation. Monitoring water quality in lakes, community participation and public awareness programmes for conservation of lakes, research and training, improving, and creating habitat for aquatic life has been some of the core operations.

Now the authority has prepared a database of about 2,000 small and big lakes with the help of satellite imageries and Survey of India toposheets and has carried out ground verification. It has also taken the initiative of putting up name boards and warnings of strict legal action against encroachments.

Under the 10th Five-year Plan, the LDA has proposed to take up 60 lakes under National Lake Conservation Programme and has sought the help of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation for arranging funds. Apart from conserving lakes, the LDA has drawn up plans to promote local tourism by creating boating facilities, developing the land abutting the lake into parks, providing more lung space, and improving ecology to attract migrating birds.

The LDA Chief said the authority is monitoring 40 lakes on a regular basis in coordination with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. We have even funded the BWSSB to the tune of Rs 40 crores to block sewage water entering the various lakes. And this has resulted in diverting the sewage entering the lakes to BWSSB's Sewage Treatment Plant in the outskirts of the city.

On adoption of lakes under public-private participation scheme, he said two lakes Rachenahalli and Yellamachetty in the Arkavati Layout and Hebbal respectively have been handed over to a NGO and a residential association. They will raise funds and maintain the lakes by carrying out eco-friendly commercial activities. Apart from this we have received eight tenders from builders and large corporates of the city. Once we evaluate them, will handed it over to them.

The LDA has also approached the BDA regarding the formulation of the new Comprehensive Development Plan. The authority has suggested that Bangalore with many valleys and greens has a unique geographic design that enables natural storm water drains fill up lakes and hence mustn't be disturbed.