BENGALURU: Nineteen of the 210 lakes under BBMP have been described by the civic body as 'disused' waterbodies. Experts, however, have taken exception to the term, alleging this only enables encroachment or legalised land grab.
The 'disused' lakes are either barren or have turned into human habitats. The barren lakes aren't maintained by anyone and have turned into just land banks for the state government.
Palike authorities say when there is no inflow of water into lakes for several years, it's difficult to restore their authentic biodiversity. Many of these tanks or lakes were built according to the terrain so that they'd be filled with rainwater, they pointed out. A few such 'disused' lakes in Bengaluru are in Tavarekere, Ittamadu, Lingarajapuram and Chikkalasandra, among others.
"Words like 'disused' and 'dead (lakes) are used to avoid scientific and legal scrutiny. These are being misused to encroach waterbodies. Also, using these tags, merely on the basis of available vacant area after encroachment, is unscientific and illegal. Instead, inlet encroachments and diversions that render lakes/tanks 'disused' or 'dead' should be the focus and the possibility of reviving them should be the priority," said a lake expert.
Many lakes were taken over for public use - for instance, Kempegowda bus stop and Kanteerava stadium - he said, adding: "But many lakes are encroached by private parties or to benefit only a small elitist section of society and this needs a relook. "
A retired senior official from Karnataka State Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) said no lake can be termed 'disused'. "I have no idea how the civic body came up with such a term. These are all tanks and they were created years ago according to the gravitational flow of water. Buildings might have come up and stormwater drains leading to them might be encroached. But calling them 'disused' is no justification."
Kacharakanahalli Lake is among those tagged 'disused'. It has been dry for over 10 years and a slum now stands on the lakebed. A resident who lives nearby said: "I have been living here for 12 years. I haven't seen any water in this lake for almost a decade now. The entire lakebed is dry and has been encroached by many. There is also a slum there."
The 'disused' lakes are either barren or have turned into human habitats. The barren lakes aren't maintained by anyone and have turned into just land banks for the state government.
Palike authorities say when there is no inflow of water into lakes for several years, it's difficult to restore their authentic biodiversity. Many of these tanks or lakes were built according to the terrain so that they'd be filled with rainwater, they pointed out. A few such 'disused' lakes in Bengaluru are in Tavarekere, Ittamadu, Lingarajapuram and Chikkalasandra, among others.
"Words like 'disused' and 'dead (lakes) are used to avoid scientific and legal scrutiny. These are being misused to encroach waterbodies. Also, using these tags, merely on the basis of available vacant area after encroachment, is unscientific and illegal. Instead, inlet encroachments and diversions that render lakes/tanks 'disused' or 'dead' should be the focus and the possibility of reviving them should be the priority," said a lake expert.
Many lakes were taken over for public use - for instance, Kempegowda bus stop and Kanteerava stadium - he said, adding: "But many lakes are encroached by private parties or to benefit only a small elitist section of society and this needs a relook. "
A retired senior official from Karnataka State Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) said no lake can be termed 'disused'. "I have no idea how the civic body came up with such a term. These are all tanks and they were created years ago according to the gravitational flow of water. Buildings might have come up and stormwater drains leading to them might be encroached. But calling them 'disused' is no justification."
Kacharakanahalli Lake is among those tagged 'disused'. It has been dry for over 10 years and a slum now stands on the lakebed. A resident who lives nearby said: "I have been living here for 12 years. I haven't seen any water in this lake for almost a decade now. The entire lakebed is dry and has been encroached by many. There is also a slum there."
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