7 lakes in City, 13 in districts to be rejuvenated

7 lakes in City, 13 in districts to be rejuvenated
Vijay Times

Twenty lakes, including seven in Bangalore, are likely to get a new lease of life during the 11th Five Year Plan under the National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP).

The Lake Development Authority (LDA) has dashed off a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) urging it to consider a list of 20 lakes for rejuvenation and providing financial assistance for the same.

According to a senior LDA official, the lakes which are in bad condition and require upgradation have been identified.

The State government has approved the list and is awaiting the Centre’s consent, he said.

“Already, the detailed project reports (DPRs) have been sent to the MOEF, while DPRs on the remaining lakes will be sent shortly.” Under the NLCP project, 70 per cent of funds will be provided by the Centre, while the balance has to be raised by the State government.

The Union government releases funds based on DPRs sent by the State.

The LDA has a limited source of income.

Only since last year has expressions of interest called from the private bodies to maintain lakes.

The LDA has been earning an annual revenue of Rs 1.26 crore from Hebbal, Nagavara and Vengayanakere lakes.

The lakes proposed for rejuvenation are: Unkal lake in Hubli-Dharwad, Amanikere in Tumkur, Machkhandi lake in Bagalkot, Begum Talab in Bijapur, Sakleshpur lake in Hassan district, Bhosga lake in Gulbarga, Hirekere lake in Dharwad, Magadi lake in Magadi town, Ammanakere in Kolar, Aam Talab tank in Raichur, Hulikere in Koppal, Nagalkere in Bellary, Thimmananayakanakere in Chitradurga, Yelahanka Doddikere, Doddanekkundi lake, Vibhutipura lake, Madhavara lake, Arakere lake, Doddakere lake in Hosakerehalli and Jakkur lake.