Water tanks of Bangalore primarily established for agricultural and domestic purposes over two centuries ago, has   now become a prominent component in the urban landscape of the city. The reduction in number of water bodies in Bangalore urban area has been a matter of concern for the past few years. The need to restore these water bodies for their various beneficial roles in the city is realised. The aim of the study was to project the trends in urban development around the water tanks of Bangalore, which would guide in planning restoration measures for existing tanks.

A chronological development of the Bangalore urban area and its impact on water tanks was mapped for different years spanning over a period of five decades. The various maps used for the study were,   Bangalore map 1806, Bangalore cantonment maps for the years 1924, 1935 and topographical maps published by Survey of India for the years 1969 and 1980. The temporal changes in the area and the physical status of the water bodies for each of the above mentioned years was methodically mapped and recorded. Significant observations regarding water bodies related to surrounding urban development was noted down.

The analysis of these observations over the period showed that most of the tanks were lost to urbanisation due to transportation network, cultivation, sewage disposal and siltation of tank beds. Four stages of development that led to the loss of water bodies were also identified under each issue.

Identification of present status of an existing water body in the process of the developmental trend would lead to guidelines for restoration activities of that particular water body.

Department of Architecture,
Siddaganga Institute of Technology,
Tumkur – 572 101,
Karnataka, India.