INTRODUCTION

Water is an important source of life for all living beings.

The present water demand in Bangalore is 1450 MLD.

Even with completion of Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Stage-4, Phase-2 the supply is only up to 1310 MLD.

INTRODUCTION

This difference between demand and supply can be solved by using alternate source of water like lakes and tanks.

But unfortunately many lakes are in fairly advanced state of deterioration due to various reasons.

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REASONS FOR THE EXTINCTION OF LAKES AND TANKS

Now-a-days, as grounds are being leveled due to urbanization, water is flowing as "run-off" instead of seeping into soil. This reduces the ground water table, inturn resulting in drying up of tanks.

Removal of vegetation in the catchment area "Eutrophication" due to industrial effluents and agricultural

wastes "Siltation" of tank bed Drying of tanks for construction purpose Encroachment of dried tank lands Deforestation resulting in loosening of soil Dumping all garbage and sewage into the tanks Growing of weeds in the tank making it useless.

Some of the Lakes and Tanks previously dried for

construction purpose

Name of the place/tankIn Bangalore:

Institution/Building

Nagasettyhalli The Space department

Kadugondanahalli Ambedkar Medical College

Kodihalli The Space department

Challaghatta The KSTDC for a golf course

Dharmambudhi tank Bus stand

Millers tank Residential layout

Sampangi tank Kanteerava stadium

Shuley tank Football Stadium

Koramangala tank Sports complex

Dumping of wastes into lakes

EFFECTS OF EXTINCTION OF TANKS AND LAKES

It has lead to flooding of cities during heavy rains Scarcity for drinking water Damage to aquatic life. Due to developmental activities in the catchment area, the

drainage connectivity between important wetlands have been lost.

This has resulted in a loss and shrinkage of wetlands leading to the destruction and loss of habitat for flora, fauna and migratory birds.

There has also been a depletion in the ground water table. The health hazards due to pollution of lakes result in

enrichment of Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Spirochetes and Helmints. This in turn results in water borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, cholera, viral hepatitis, and worm infestations.

SHORT TERM MEASURES Cleaning the drains that bring storm water to the lake. Providing additional silt traps along the upper reaches of the

drains. Providing bar screens at the mouth of the lake, for the drains. Immediate deweeding of the lake. Rearing special kind of fish which feed on dirt in the tank. Eg:

Gambusia fish feed on mosquito larvae. Provision of dustbins around the lake. Posting of security staff around the lake to prevent dumping of

garbage. Creating public awareness to keep the lake clean with the help

of sign boards. Formation of a lake protection committee involving local

people.

SHORT TERM MEASURES

Deweeding of the lake

1. Removal of sediments & silt by dredging the lake during summer period.

2. In order to avoid the flow of sullage into the lake, sewers are laid around the lake for diverting the flow of sullage into the treatment plant.

3. Formation of a standing committee comprising officers from the city corporation, water supply and sanitation board, pollution control board, state tourism development corporation, fishery department and department of ecology & environment for follow-up action. Noted environmentalists may also be included in the committee.

LONG TERM MEASURES

4. Fencing of the lake bed to prevent it from being encroached & misused.

5. Legislative measures to ban the production of detergents containing poly phosphates are required in the interest of environmental protection.

6. Educating the public on the need to maintain a clean environment is also very important. Awareness about polluted water affecting our health should spread. It will be very useful if this is done by the public rather than the government. Only such awareness can save tanks in rural areas.

LONG TERM MEASURES

7. Formulation of a Lake Authority at State level and Central Lakes Authority at National Level.

8. To identify major lake systems and highly contaminated lakes. Action plan to divert the sewers discharging into lakes suitably. Laying new sewers to convey the sewage discharged by storm water drains away from lakes.

9. Regular monitoring of the lake water quality by the Pollution Control Board.

LONG TERM MEASURES

HEBBAL LAKE AFTER RESTORATION

WATER IS PRECIOUS SAVE ITSAVE WATER – SAVE LIFE – SAVE EARTH

CONCLUSION Restoration & Conservation of Lakes & tanks will

be an asset to the society and also to the eco system.

Domestic, Commercial & Industrial water needs can be fulfilled.

It also leads to the development of lake areas into tourism spots, bird sanctuaries, parks, home of wild life etc; which in turn contributes to economy of a country.

REFERENCES

• Lake Development Authority - Government of Karnataka

www.karunadu.gov.in/lda/index.html.• Living in the Environment. By G. Tyler Miller, Jr.,

Scott E. Spool man• Restoration and management of lakes. By G. Dennis

Cooke, Eugene B. Welch, Spencer Peterson, Stanley A. Nichols.