Recycled water for parks

Recycled water for parks
Treated water will be used to sustain parks in the new Greater Bangalore localities

The Times of India

The formation of Greater Bangalore has thrown open a large number of open spaces and the forest department is planning massive afforestation programmes. There are plans to plant one lakh saplings in the coming monsoon.
Water conservation
Another major area of concern at present is water conservation. Water is required for the maintenance of the city's many parks. However, with water scarcity looming large, the department has plans to conserve water through rain water harvesting techniques apart from using recycled water.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has come up with a proposal for use of recycled water in the form of sewage water that's been treated. This can form a major portion of water that's used for irrigating parks, according to Krishna Udapudi, Deputy Conservator of Forests. At present, there are about 18 sewage treatment plants in far flung areas of the city feed factories. Talks are on with the BWSSB to source this water. The second area of focus is rain water harvesting and talks are on with the Centre for Sustainable Development.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) is also planning to take up restoration of railway bunds. The 1.3 km stretch that runs along the railway line from Kumara Park Road touching Bellary Road at the other end will be cleaned up. There are plants to plant hardy plants here which consume less water, according to Udapudi.
Plans for city’s lakes
There are plans to revive some lakes in the city which are in a bad shape. The BBMP has JNNURM funds worth Rs 250 crore that's reserved for taking up activities related to environmental protection. Appropriate programmes like desilting, treatment of sewage water, tree park development, construction of bunds and fencing to stop encroachment-these are some activities likely to be taken up, once the lakes are handed over by the forest department. A technical feasibility report is being prepared by private consultants after conducting aerial surveys and remote sensing activities, according to Krishna D Udapudi, Deputy Conservator of Forests.
Although the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has come up with a proposal to develop tourism-related activities in and around the city's lakes, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is still weighing the pros and cons. "Our approach is conservative because we do not want commercial activities to spoil the natural beauty and ecosystem of the lake", explains Udapudi. "A lake must provide nesting space for birds and the fish population in the lake must not be affected in any way, that's out primary concern", he clarifies.
While the Hebbal, Madivala, Sankey and Ulsoor lakes have already been restored, three new lakes have been identified for restoration in the coming year. They are Malagal Lake near Govindarajanagar, Kadithimmanahalli Lake near Hanumanthanagar and Deepanjali Lake near Chandra Layout.
Bangalore is blessed with beautiful lakes but rapid industrialisation and urbanisation has taken a toll on these serene lakes. Land filling and garbage dumping had lead to silting the floors and reducing the water holding capacity of these lakes, slowly choking these lakes to death. It may be recalled here that the government had set up the N Lakshman Rau Committee, which entrusted the rejuvenation of these lakes to the Karnataka Forest Department, in association with the Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme in Karnataka (INEP).