Only 10% of B’luru lakes have water fit for drinking: Study
BENGALURU: Out of the 210 lakes in Bengaluru only 21 have water fit for drinking, revealed a study conducted by Csir-national Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). The study pointed out that among the 19 lakes declared ‘disused’ by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, three can be recovered with remedial measures.
CSIR-NEERI prepared the report following a request from the BBMP. The Karnataka high court, while hearing a petition on the condition of the lakes in the city, had directed the civic agency to submit a detailed report. The objective was to study pollution of lakes, come up with short-term and longterm measures of lake conservation, gather information on lakes that have disappeared, and prepare a master plan for the rejuvenation and restoration of lakes.
50% of ‘excellent lakes’ in one zone
According to the report, out of the 21 lakes with drinkable water, 11 are in North Bengaluru’s Yelahanka zone. Rest of the 10 lakes are spread across the city.
Out of the 210 lakes, 36 lakes have very poor water quality, and the water can’t be used for any purpose. 63 lakes come under poor water quality can be used for limited irrigation purposes.
Due to weed and other constraints samples of some lakes could not be collected.
The report added that domestic sewage is the biggest cause behind the pollution of lakes.
Three out of 19 lakes can be recovered
Nineteen lakes in Bengaluru have been encroached upon. Among this, Lingarajapura, Doresanipalya, Geddalahalli, Arehalli and Bilekahalli lakes were encroached by Bengaluru
Development Authority (BDA) to construct residential layouts.
Out of these 19 lakes, three lakes -- Arehalli lake, Kamakshi Palya lake and Thavarekere lake – can be restored with the use of drain treatment of the lake and wetland system-based sewage treatment, read the report.
This is phase one of the report and the master plan for lake restoration is yet to release.
“The Phase-ii report will include the master plan for each lake falling under BBMP and BDA limits along with change detection studies,” the report revealed.
“The master plan for each lake will be prepared using digital elevation maps, generated using drone survey. The plan will consist details of drains entering the lake, waste weir and catchment area,” the report added.