Beautification of lakes on

Beautification of lakes on
The Times of India

In Bangalore, the process of rejuvenating lakes has been on for a while now. "Currently, three lakes outside Bangalore are up for rejuvenation," says B K Singh of the Lake Development Authority (LDA). The Nagavara Lake, for instance, has been developed at a cost of Rs 4 crores and a contract has been entered into with a private company. "The company can use up to five percent of the lake's land for development of infrastructure and engage in commercial activities like eco activity and providing tourist facilities," explains Singh adding that the company would have to pay Rs 36 lakhs per year to the LDA. A similar contract has been entered into with another private company for Vengeyenkere Lake, which has been developed at a cost of Rs 3 crores. Here again, the private company can engage in commercial activities, and have to make a yearly payment of Rs 15 lakhs to LDA. The Jarganhalli, Hebbal, Vengenhalli, Agaram, and Yelamapachetty Lakes have been developed and an expression of interest has been called for these lakes. "The advantage is that we need not worry about the maintenance of these lakes," says Singh.

The development of Bellandur Lake has now been suspended due to a variety of reasons but a new method called 'bioremediation' was adopted for its rejuvenation. Bioremediation essentially is the process that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to return the environment to its original condition. This process can be used to remove pollutants from water and soil, or to clean up oil spills. "Bioremediation is done in three parts," explains Singh. "We first remove the weeds, which come as a result of the sewage. We then oxygenate the water through the use of radiators and diffusers. This is done in order to increase the dissolved oxygen level in the water. The minimum dissolved oxygen level in the water is 4 mg/l for the water to be termed as 'good water'. Once the water quality achieves a certain level, an application of bioproduct, substrate and enzymes, is undertaken. Once this mixture is active, it eats up the sludge on the bottom of the lake, as it's biodegradable. This method is being adopted for the first time in the state." Bioremediation is a new method being adopted for the first time here and if it proves to be successful in the rejuvenation of the Bellandur Lake then it can be successfully adopted for other lakes too as it's also cost-effective.

Plans have been approved for the renovation of the Channapatna Lake in Hassan, Akkamahadevi Lake in Haveri and Saranabasveswara Lake in Gulbarga at a cost of Rs 4.5-5 crores each. The project, which is scheduled to start after the rains, is likely to take a year to complete after which expressions of interest will be invited to ensure continued maintenance. The process of revival of any lake includes desilting, providing alternate routes for sewage, installation of sewage treatment plants, and even landscaping and fencing the area.