The urban wing of the Forest Department has come out with an urban lake protection and management plan. The action plan covers 57 lakes presently and has been drawn up for the years 2008-11.
It includes:

• Documentation of status of lakes Boundary demarcation - this will include conducting a survey of the lakes, fixing of name boards, and fencing.
• Encroachment identification and eviction Protection by having watch and
• ward Diversion of sewage and cleaning
• Integrated development

A resurvey of lakes needs to be done since many are not traceable, and permanent boundary stones or cairns need to be fixed. The Lake Development Authority (LDA) will be requested to take up the survey for the year 2008-09. The amount required is Rs 17 lakhs. This will also include fixing of permanent name boards engraved in stone or cement blocks on all sides facing habitation. This is to enable identification of the lake and the agency to fix responsibility for maintenance.

Fencing around the lake can be temporary (with barbed wire) or permanent (chain link mesh). B Jayaram, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Bangalore South), Forest Department, says, "Temporary fencing is done wherever the area is under litigation or has been encroached. Once it is free of encroachment, we will permanently fence the area." The cost of one kilometre of permanent fencing comes to Rs 27 lakhs and barbed wire comes to Rs 3 lakhs. This year, fencing will be provided for three lakes. It has been proposed to fence 23 lakes in the year 2009-10 and 26 lakes in 2010-11.

Planting will be taken up in the foreshore area after demarcation and fencing is done. Dried tanks will be converted into tree parks. It has been proposed to take up foreshore planting over 300 hectares this year, 200 hectares in 2009-10, and 100 hectares in 2010-11. The cost of foreshore planting over one hectare comes to Rs 60,000.


To save tanks from land grabbing and dumping of waste, there is a need for a 24-hour watch-and-ward. "There is one muster-roll employee who is responsible for 5-7 lakes. This makes it difficult for him to take action or report on time. So, we have proposed to erect watchmen sheds in the remaining 47 tanks", Jayaram adds. It has been proposed to have three watchmen for a tank area less than 20 hectares and six watchmen where the area is more than 20 hectares.

In some tanks, the sewage is being let in is causing pollution. This needs to be diverted, treated and let into the tank. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has been mandated to execute sewage diversion and establish a sewage treatment plant (STP), wherever required.

The tank will be cleaned of garbage, light de-weeding and minimum desilting done without affecting the lake's biotic life. For initial cleaning, the cost comes to around Rs 1,000 per hectare and subsequent annual maintenance is 30 percent of the initial cleaning cost.

Integrated development of the lake includes removal of silt, improvement of waterholding capacity, strengthening the bund, removing encroachments, providing fencing, creating a jogging path all around the lake, recreation facilities like a small garden, planting in the foreshore area, creating islands for birds to breed, providing boating facility if possible

Out of the 57 tanks that the Forest Department plans to retain, eight tanks have already been developed with four having permanent fencing.

Tanks developed by Forest Department:

• Uramudinakere tank
• Hennur tank
• Iblur tank
• Kurubarahalli tank
• Madivala tank
• Narasipura tank
• Tindlu tank
• Janardhanakere tank

In another 15 days, Madivala tank will be free of weeds with some portion retained for the birds. Boating facility will also be open.

Proposal to return lakes

The urban wing of the Forest Department has come out with a proposal to retain 57 lakes of the 114 lakes allotted to them. They are planning to return the remaining lakes to the other government agencies for development. Jayaram says, "We have already sent the draft proposal to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Once it is sent to the Government for approval, a decision will be taken as to whether they will be allocated to other agencies or will stay with us."

Out of the 114 lakes, 90 lakes are wholly under the Forest Department. The remaining 24 lakes are being developed with other agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), and the Tourism Department. "Some lakes which are with the department are now being developed by the other agencies. For instance, Sankey Tank, Kempambudhi Tank, and Yediyur Tank are being developed by the BBMP. Others like Geddalahalli Tank near Sanjaynagar have become BDA layouts. Since it is not feasible for us to maintain these lakes, the Forest Department has made a proposal to retain only 57 lakes under it", Jayaram explains.