ENVIS Technical Report: 116,  April 2017

Bellandur and Varthur Lakes Rejuvenation Blueprint

Ramachandra T.V.              Durga Madhab Mahapatra           Vinay S             Sincy V             Asulabha K S            Sudarshan P. Bhat             Bharath H. Aithal

Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore – 560012, India.
*Corresponding author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in
 
Encroachments & Violations of Norms
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Bangalore wetlands have been facing persistent threats due to (i) encroachments and unauthorised construction in the lake bed, wetlands, and rajakaluves (ii) violation of prohibited and regulated activities in the valley zone / sensitive zone with the irrational development activities (contrary to the norms of CDP: Comprehensive Development Plan/ RMP: Revised Master Plan, 2015, 2031),  (iii) violation of regulated activities in the buffer zone (30 m as per BDA, 75 m as per NGT) (iv) dumping of municipal solid wastes, demolished  building debris, excavated earth, etc., (v) sustained inflow of partially treated or untreated sewage (by BWSSB and high-rise buildings in the lake bed), (vi) disposal of industrial effluents into the drains connecting the lake, (vii) removal of interconnectivity among lakes – by encroachment of Rajakaluve and drains connecting lakes, (viii) dumping of untreated sewage through tankers (Figure 3.1), (ix) dumping of bio-medical waste, etc.
Bellandur lake and buffer zone of 75 m:  Figure 5.1 depicts the land use changes during 2002 and 2016 in the lake bed and the buffer zone of 75 m. Lake bed encroachments are due to soil filling (C & D waste, solid waste from the city) and unauthorised buildings which has increased from about 0.5 % (2002) to 3.1% (2016). Similarly in the buffer zone, built up areas have increased from 1.5% (2002) to 45 % (2016) at the cost of vegetation cover (agriculture, horticulture).  Figures 5.2 and 5.3 give violations in the lakebed and buffer zone.

 


Varthur lake and buffer zone of 75 m: Figure 5.4 depicts the land use changes during 2003 and 2016 in the lake bed and the buffer zone of 75 m. Lake bed encroachments due to soil filling (C & D wastes) and construction of buildings (Figures 5.5 and 5.6) is about 0.8 % (2003) to 1.2% (2016). Similarly, in the buffer zone, built-up areas have increased from 5% (2002) to 30 % (2016) with the decline of vegetation (agriculture, horticulture).

 

 

Valley zones: Pristine Bellandur-Varthur wetland ecosystem has been experiencing threat due to the large scale catchment alterations with changes in the land use land cover. The region forms a part of primary valley, which is sensitive regions as per the revised master plan 2015 (RMP 2015 of BDA). The landscape forms an integral part of the protected area (as it is in valley zone) as per the CDP 2015. This wetlands is now being converted with mixed land use i.e., Built-up with both residential and office complexes. Alterations in the wetland began in 2004 and aggravated post 2008. The alterations of these wetlands initiated by filling the low lying areas with excavated earth debris, followed by other construction activities. The land fillings have breached both rajakaluve and lakes. Rajakaluve have reduced in width from as high as 35m to less than 8 m, apart from the loss of natural stream network connecting the lakes and rajakaluveys. Major violations in Bellandur-Vathur wetlands are:

  • LAND USE CHANGES WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THE PRIMARY VALLEY – SENSITIVE REGIONS (as per RMP, 2015 of BDA: The region is located in the primary valley of the Koramangala Challaghatta valley. Primary valleys in Bangalore are sensitive regions as per sensitive zone notification - Circular/35/BBMP/2008, dated: 26/11/2008) and buffer zone for primary valley is 100 m.
  • The region is a wetland as per KARNATAKA LAKE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACT, 2014 - KARNATAKA ACT NO. 10 OF 2015; KAR. ACT 12, pg 462; National Wetland Atlas,  SAC Ahmedabad, 2009; Wetland rules, MoEF, Govt of India, 2010; RAMSAR Definition of wetlands.
  • Removal of wetlands affects Intergeneration Equity.
  • Depriving local residents of water: Wetlands helps in recharge of groundwater in the region.
  • Encroachment of Rajakalve and streams (connecting Bellandur  and Varthur lakes).
  • Deprives local residents of clean, air and water (as per Article 21 of the Constitution of India).
  • Dumping of building debris and excavated earth in Wetlands and also in water-spread area of Bellandur and Varthur lake.
  • Encroachment of Bellandur and Varthur lake.

Figure 5.7 depicts the landscape dynamics in the valley zone between Bellandur and Varthur Lakes. Large scale landscape changes found to occur since 2004, and the process of urbanization is occurring from west to east (Bellandur to Varthur). The wetlands and agriculture lands encompassing 98.5% of the valley zone in 2002 have drastically decreased to 25.68% by the year 2016 which is due to land use conversion for construction (residential/commercial/infrastructure) which has increased from 1.44% in 2002 to 74.32% in 2016. This rampant growth in the valley zone have removed lakes and raja kaluveys that altered the function of natural system of cleansing water, recharging ground water. Table 3 highlights extent of landscape alterations and unauthorized occupation of Valley zone.

 

 


Table 3: Land use changes in the valley zone (Virtual Globe: Google earth)


                                                                                        Area in Hectares

Land use / Year

2002

2004

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

Urban and Soil filling

5.2

20.2

135.3

141.9

212.4

243.2

271.5

Wetland, Agriculture and Water bodies

360.0

345.0

230.0

223.4

152.9

122.2

93.8

                                                                                         Area in Percent

Urban and Soil filling

1.44

5.53

37.04

38.84

58.15

66.56

74.32

Wetland, Agriculture and Water bodies

98.56

94.47

62.96

61.16

41.85

33.44

25.68

Figure 5.8 depicts the revenue map of Bellandur Varthur valley zone (Bellandur Ammanikere). Rampant landscape changes in the valley zone have reduced the width (Figure 5.9) or encroached the natural drainages and rajakaluveys. Rajakaluveys of 25m to 35 m width have reduced in width to less than 5m to 8 m ( example is depicted in Figure 5.9). Figure 5.10 and Table 4 details kharab lands in the valley zone between Bellandur and Varthur lake. 1058.96 Guntas (26.47 Acres) of land in the valley zone falls under the category of kharab lands and is distributed in villages of Ammanikere Bellandur Khane, (570.8 Guntas), Bellandur (431.2 Guntas), Kariyamma Agrahara (16 Guntas), Yamlur* (41 Guntas).

Table 4: Kharab lands in the valley zone 


Ammanikere Bellandur Khane

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

2

1

98

2

168

3

3

1.16

99

1

169

2

6

4

106

4

170

2

7

4

107

2

171

6

8

1

108

2

172

5

9

1

116

4

201

1

10

5

117

1

209

3

11

3

120

6

212

3

12

2

124

7

213

21

13

2

125

4

215

4

14

2

126

2

217

4

15

3

127

1

218

18

16

1

128

2

221

61

25

2

140

5

222

21

26

3

141

5

223

55

27

7

142

0.16

227

1

30

12

145

9

228

2

31

3

148

5

241

1

38

34

151

4

244

1

39

14

152

10

245

2

42

41

153

10

248

2

53

3

154

3

249

4

54

1

157

7

250

1

55

5

159

4

253

0.24

56

1

160

3

256

14.08

63

5

161

8

272

10

64

2

162

5

273

3

93

5.16

163

1

280

11

94

2

164

3

282

8

96

1

165

5

283

1

97

1

166

2

285

1

Total Area (Guntas)

570.8

Total Area (Acres)

14.27

 

Bellandur

Yamlur *

Kariyamma Agrahara

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

Survey Number

Area (Gunta)

4

359

54

20

17

4

8

17

55

1

19

11

10

10

56

10

22

1

11

15

57

1

Total (Gunta)

16

13

21

58

3

Total(Acre)

0.4

14

2

59

4

18

7.16

60

2

Total (Gunta)

431.16

Total (Gunta)

41

Total(Acre)

10.78

Total(Acre)

1.025

* Verification required

Total Area (Guntas)

1058.96

Total Area (Acres)

26.47

 

Bellandur-Agaram Valley zone: Figure 5.11 depicts the landscape dynamics during 2000 to 2015 (mapped on temporal Google Earth data – http://earth.google.com). The remote sensing data of 2009 – 2015 substantiates the unabated construction activities in the valley zone (without proper compliance and gross violations of environmental norms). Table 5 highlights extent of landscape alterations and unauthorized occupation of wetlands (Agara-Bellandur wetland). Figure 5.12 gives cadastral map (1904, scale: 1 in 7920) of the region with land uses - drainage network, agriculture land parcels, tank boundaries, etc.

Figure 5.13 highlights interconnected lake system in Agara-Bellandur region with rajakaluves and stream network. Figure 5.13 also indicates the narrowing down of rajakaluves for the period 2000 to 2015, (for the cross sections A, B, C, D). Rajakauluves have declined between 23% and 57% of the original width during the year 2000 to 2015.  Table 6 lists applicable various norms for wetlands conservation.

 

Table 6: Various norms for lakes and rajakaluve conservation


Activities around lakes

Norms to protect and conserve Wetlands

Encroachment of lake bed and loss of interconnectivity among
lakes

The Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil appeal number 1132/2011 at SLP (C) 3109/2011 on January 28,2011 has expressed concern regarding encroachment of common property resources, more particularly lakes (and raja kaluves) and it has directed the state governments for removal of encroachments on all community lands.
Eviction of encroachment: Need to be evicted as per Karnataka Public Premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants) 1974 and the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964

Buildings in the buffer zone of lakes

In case of water bodies,  75.0 m buffer of ‘no development zone’ (as per recent National Green Tribunal direction) is to be maintained around the lake (buffer region to be as per revenue records)

  • As per BDA, RMP 2015 (Regional Master Plan, 2015)
  • Section 17 of KTCP (Karnataka Town and Country Planning) Act, 1961 and sec 32 of BDA Act, 1976
  • Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010, Government of India; Wetlands Regulatory Framework, 2008.

Construction activities in the valley zone (SEZ by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)) in the valley zone

This is contrary to sustainable development as the natural resources (lake, wetlands) get affected, eventually leading to the degradation/extinction of lakes. This reflects the ignorance of the administrative machinery on the importance of ecosystems and the need to protect valley zones considering ecological function and these regions are ‘NO DEVELOPMENT ZONES’ as per CDP 2005, 2015

Alterations in topography

Flooding of regions would lead to loss of property and human life and, spread of diseases.

Increase in deforestation in catchment area

Removing vegetation in the catchment area increases soil erosion and which in turn increases siltation and decreases transpiration

Documentation of biodiversity

  • The biodiversity of every water body should form part of the School, College, People’s Biodiversity Registers (SBR, CBR, PBR).
  • The local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) should be given necessary financial support and scientific assistance in documentation of diversity.
  • The presence of endemic, rare, endangered or threatened species and economically important ones should be highlighted
  • A locally implementable conservation plan has to be prepared for such species

Implementation of sanitation facilities
  • The lakes are polluted with sewage, coliform bacteria and various other pathogens
  • Preserving the purity of waters and safeguarding the biodiversity and productivity, dumping of waste has to be prohibited
  • All the settlements alongside the water body should be provided with sanitation facilities so as not to impinge in anyway the pristine quality of water

Violation of regulatory and prohibitory activities as per Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2016 and 2010;
Regulatory wetland framework, 2008

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2009.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) rules 2010, Government of India; Regulatory wetland framework, 2008
Regulated activity

  • Withdrawal of water/impoundment/diversion/interruption of sources
  • Harvesting (including grazing) of living/non-living resources (may be permitted to the level that the basic nature and character of the biotic community is not adversely affected)
  • Treated effluent discharges – industrial/ domestic/agro-chemical.
  • Plying of motorized boats
  • Dredging (need for dredging may be considered, on merit on case to case basis, only in cases of wetlands impacted by siltation)
  • Constructions of permanent nature within 50 m of periphery except boat jetties
  • Activity that interferes with the normal run-off and related ecological processes – up to 200 m

Prohibited activity

  • Conversion of wetland to non-wetland use
  • Reclamation of wetlands
  • Solid waste dumping and discharge of untreated effluents

Damage of fencing, solid waste dumping and encroachment problems in Varthur lake series

 

High Court of Karnataka (WP No. 817/2008) had passed an order which include:

  • Protecting lakes across Karnataka,
  • Prohibits dumping of garbage and sewage in Lakes
  • Lake area to be surveyed and fenced and declare a no development zone around lakes
  • Encroachments to be removed
  • Forest department to plant trees in consultation with experts in lake surroundings and in the watershed region
  • Member Secretary of state legal services authority to monitor implementation of the above in coordination with Revenue and Forest Departments
  • Also setting up district lake protection committees

Polluter Pays principle

National Environment Policy, 2006
The principal objectives of NEP includes :

  • Protection and conservation of critical ecological systems and resources, and invaluable natural and man-made heritage
  • Ensuring judicious use of environmental resources to meet the needs and aspirations of the present and future generations
  • It emphasizes the “Polluter Pays” principle, which states the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public interest

Prevention of pollution of lake

National Water Policy, 2002
Water is a scarce and precious national resource and requires conservation and management.
Watershed management through extensive soil conservation, catchment-area treatment, preservation of forests and increasing the forest cover and the construction of check-dams should be promoted.
The water resources should be conserved by retention practices such as rain water harvesting and prevention of pollution.

Discharge of untreated sewage into lakes

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

  • Lays down standards for the quality of environment in its various aspects
  • Laying down standards for discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources and no persons shall discharge any pollutant in excess of such standards
  • Restriction of areas in which industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or carried out subject to certain safeguards

The water pollution, prevention and its control measures were not looked upon

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

  • It is based on the “Polluter pays” principle.

The Pollution Control Boards performs the following functions :

  • Advice the government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water pollution.
  • Encourage, conduct and participate in investigations and research relating to problems of water pollution and prevention, control or abatement of water pollution.
  • Inspects sewage and effluents as well as the efficiency of the sewage treatment plants.
  • Lay down or modifiy existing effluent standards for the sewage.
  • Lay down standards of treatment of effluent and sewage to be discharged into any particular stream.
  • Notify certain industries to stop, restrict or modify their procedures if the present procedure is deteriorating the water quality of streams.

Pathetic water scenario and insufficient drinking water in Bangalore

The depletion of ground water and drying up off lakes has affected the water availability to meet the current population. At the 4% population growth rate of Bangalore over the past 50 years, the current population of Bangalore is 8.5 million (2011). Water supply from Hesaraghatta has dried, Thippagondanahalli is drying up, the only reliable water supply to Bangalore is from Cauvery with a gross of 1,410 million liters a day (MLD). There is no way of increasing the drawal from Cauvery as the allocation by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal for the entire urban and rural population in Cauvery Basin in Karnataka is only 8.75 TMC ft (one thousand million cubic – TMC ft equals 78 MLD), Bangalore city is already drawing more water-1,400 MLD equals 18 TMC—than the allocation for the entire rural and urban population in Cauvery basin