ENVIS Technical Report: 73,  January2015
EFFICACY OF CURRENT RESTORATION APPROACHES - BANGALORE WETLANDS
   T.V. Ramachandra1,2,3,*      Alakananda .B1,3      Supriya .G1,3  
1Energy and Wetlands Research Group, 2Centre for Ecological Sciences, 3Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore – 560012, India.
*Corresponding author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in
Citation: Ramachandra T V, Alakananda B and Supriya G, 2015. Efficacy of current restoration approaches - Bangalore wetlands, ENVIS Technical Report 73, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012
RECOMMENDATION AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

One of the serious threats to aquatic ecosystems is the increasing expansion of human population and settlements. These demands for wetland resources such as water for domestic and irrigation, aesthetic values, food (Fish) and many more, which over a period of time inevitably disappear. Quantification of existing wetland resources and its restoration for future conservation is mandatory. We here, compile the recommendations discussed since 10 for the management of lakes and wetlands so as to prioritize the restoration and conservation policy.

  1. Identify water bodies of biodiversity importance and declare them as wetland conservation reserves (WCR)
  2. Climate change is a global phenomena and it also needs studies at local level. We should also focus on increasing the green cover especially in the urban areas which would help in carbon sequestration. 
  3. The laws regarding pollution problems already exist but they need to be implemented effectively. Collection and compilation of data of each wetland regularly to see how climatic changes alter water quality. There is need to develop network institutions at national levels.
  4. The metal toxicity studies in the natural environments are also essential to analyse its effects on the biodiversity and hence, minimize the same. 
  5. Survey of biodiversity of every water body from schools, colleges and local people and should be updated in biodiversity bank. The local Biodiversity Management Committees should be formed and be given necessary financial support and scientific assistance in documentation of diversity. Wetlands with endemic, rare, endangered or threatened species and economically important species should be focused for conservation.
  6. The taxonomy and systematic biology should be integrated with new developments and more opportunities are needed to be generated for the systematic biology in the country. It is also essential to facilitate the use of information technology for organizing the taxonomic data and also support the biodiversity portals to engage the local people for collating the highly dispersed and vast biodiversity information.   
  7. The biodiversity should also be linked with the environmental parameters to understand the ecology of the important species and to comprehend how climate change variations in water quality and metal concentrations impact on species level. 

Even though Bangalore lakes are man-made lakes and are formed in 16th century; there is no continuous data on each lake biodiversity. Paleolimnological studies explain us about the type of geology and diversity present. Collection of sediment samples and carbon dating could be applied for biomonitoring studies. Paleolimnological approaches could also be used to infer whether a lake has been restored to its predisturbance condition.

  1. Catchment activities that degrade watershed, area must be identified and managed through mapping water bodies and changing land use/ land cover. Data collections on wetland drainage system along with regular water characteristics help in maintaining good water quality by 2015 and thus also aid in recharge ground water.

Demarcation of the boundary of water bodies: The existing regulations pertaining to boundary demarcations within different states need to be reviewed according to updated norms and based on geomorphology and other scientific aspects pertaining to individual water bodies. Maximum Water Level mark should form the boundary line of the water body. In addition, a specified width, based on historical records/ survey records etc. may be considered for marking a buffer zone around the water body. In case such records are not available, the buffer zones may be marked afresh considering the flood plain level and also maximum water levels. The width of the buffer zone should be set considering the geomorphology of the water body, the original legal boundaries, etc. The buffer zone should be treated as inviolable in the long term interests of the water body and its biodiversity.
The existing regulations pertaining to boundary demarcations within different states need to be reviewed according to updated norms and based on geomorphology and other scientific aspects pertaining to individual water bodies.
Urban wetlands, mostly lakes to be regulated from any type of encroachments and pollutants (sewage, effluents) letting into the waterbody. Regulate the activity which interferes with the normal run-off and related ecological processes – in the buffer zone (200 m from lake boundary / flood plains is to be considered as buffer zone)

  1. Quantification and appreciation of values of different components of aquatic biodiversity either directly or indirectly and its implication on livelihoods. Goods and services provided by the individual ecosystems and the respective species to be documented, evaluated through participatory approach and be made part of the Biodiversity Registers. Ecological values of lands and water within the catchment / watershed shall be internalized into economic analysis and not taken for granted. Pressure groups shall play as watchdogs in preventing industrial and toxic and persistent pollutants by agencies and polluters.
  2. Habitat destruction is very critical problem faced by the biotic species and hence, the habitat conservation is very essential for sustainable management of species diversity. 
  3. Over exploitation of fishing in breeding season should be reduced. Habitat conservations for indigenous fish species and removal of exotic cat fish which not only leads to decline in native fishes but also affects human health with metal toxicities when consumed.
  4. Study of aquatic food webs and the relationship between each organisms and overall productivity of the wetland is still unclear. Data collection on food web components e.g., planktons, invertebrates, amphibians and other predators. There is an urgent need for creating a `Data Bank’ through inventorisation and mapping of the aquatic biota ranging from tiny microorganisms, algae to higher taxa like birds appreciate their values to the ecosystem.
  5. Emphasis should shift from implementing expensive restoration methods (Dredging) towards sustainable use of lakes and wetlands algal growth for renewable biofuel production.
  6. Holistic and Integrated Approaches –Integration of the activities with the common jurisdiction boundaries of Government parastatal Agencies for effective implementation of activities related to management, restoration, sustainable utilization and conservation.

This necessitates:

    1. To minimize the confusion of ownership – assign the ownership of all natural resources (lakes, forests, etc.) to a single agency – Lake Protection and Management Authority. This agency shall be responsible for protection, development and sustainable management of water bodies).
    2. Custodian shall manage natural resources - let that agency have autonomous status with all regulatory powers to protect, develop and manage water bodies.
    3. All wetlands to be considered as common property resources and hence custodians should carefully deal with these ensuring security.
    4. Management and maintenance of lakes to be decentralized involving stakeholders, local bodies, institutions and community participation without any commercialization or commoditization of lakes.
    5. Integrated aquatic ecosystem management needs to be implemented to ensure sustainability, which requires proper study, sound understanding and effective management of water systems and their internal relations.
    6. The aquatic systems should be managed as part of the broader environment and in relation to socio-economic demands and potentials, acknowledging the political and cultural context.
    7. Wetlands lying within the notified forest areas shall be regulated by the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
    8. Wetlands outside protected or notified forest areas shall be regulated by the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    9. Immediate implementation of the regulatory framework for conservation of wetlands by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI. Formulation and implementation of the National wetlands policy both at state and at national levels.
    10. Prohibit activities such as conversion of wetlands for non-wetland purposes, dumping of solid wastes, direct discharge of untreated sewage, hunting of wild fauna, reclamation of wetlands.
    11. Maintain Catchment Integrity to ensure lakes are perennial and maintain at least 33% land cover should be under natural Vegetation.
    12. Plant native species of vegetation in each lake catchment. Create new water bodies considering the topography of each locality.
    13. Establish laboratory facility to monitor physical, chemical and biological integrity of lakes.
  1. Maintain physical integrity - Free storm water drains of any encroachments. Maintain and establish interconnectivity among water bodies to minimize flooding in certain pockets. The process of urbanization and neglect caused disruption of linkages between water bodies such as ancient lake systems of many cities. Wherever such disruptions have taken place alternative arrangements should be provided to establish the lost linkages.
    1. Encroachment of lake beds by unauthorized /authorized agencies must be immediately stopped. Evict all unauthorized occupation in the lake beds as well as valley zones.
    2. Any clearances of riparian vegetation (along side lakes) and buffer zone vegetation (around lakes) have to be prohibited
    3. Implement polluter pays principle for polluters letting liquid waste in to the lake either directly or through storm water drains.
    4. Appropriate cropping pattern, water harvesting, urban development, water usage, and waste generation data shall be utilized and projected for design period for arriving at preventive, curative and maintenance of aquatic ecosystem restoration action plan (AERAP).
    5. Proper restoration methods should be followed in order to keep not only the water but only the biodiversity and its ecological perspective in consideration. The restoration methods such as de-silting of lakes (for removal of toxic sediment, to control nuisance macrophytes) would remove the previous aquatic flora.
    6. Maintaining the sediment regime under which the aquatic ecosystems evolve including maintenance, conservation of spatial and temporal connectivity within and between watersheds. 
    7. Maintaining overgrowth of aquatic weeds like Eichhornia, Azolla, Alternanthera etc. through manual operations.
    8. Aquatic plants greatly aid in retarding the eutrophication of aquatic bodies; they are the sinks for nutrients & thereby play a significant role in absorption & release of heavy metals. They also serve as food and nesting material for many wetland birds. Therefore, knowledge of the ecological role of aquatic species is necessary for lake preservation.
    9. Adopt biomanipulation (Silver carp and Catla– surface phytoplankton feeders,  Rohu – Column zooplankton feeder Gambusia and Guppies – larvivorous fishes for mosquito control),aeration, shoreline restoration (with the native vegetation) in the management of lakes.
  2. Environmental awareness programmes can greatly help in the protection of the water bodies. Government   Agencies, Academies, Institutions and NGO’s must co-ordinate grass-root level   implementation of policies and activities related to conservation  of lakes and wetlands (both Inland and Coastal), their sustainable utilization, restoration and development including human health.  There is also a need for management and conservation of aquatic biota including their health aspects. Traditional knowledge and practices have to be explored as remedial measures. Cost-intensive restoration measures should be the last resort after evaluating all the cost-effective measures of conservation and management of the wetlands.
  3. A National Committee be constituted consisting of Experts, Representatives of Stakeholders (researchers, industrialists, agriculturists, fishermen, etc.) and Line Agencies, in addition to the existing Committee(s), if any, in order to evolve policies and strategies for reclamation, development, sustainable utilization and restoration of the wetlands and socio-economic development of the local people.
  4. At regional level, Lake Protection and Management Authority (LPMA) with autonomy, corpus funds from plan allocations of state and center and responsibility and accountability for avoiding excessive cost and time over runs. LPMA shall have stakeholders-representatives from central and state and local body authorities, NGO’s and eminent people and experts shall be constituted.
  5. Generous funds should be made available for such developmental works through the National Committee. Local stakeholders should be suggested to generate modest funds for immediate developmental needs in the aquatic systems in their localities.
  6. Public education and outreach should be components of aquatic ecosystem restoration. Lake associations and citizen monitoring groups have proved helpful in educating general public. Effort should be made to ensure that such groups have accurate information about the causes of lake degradation and various restoration methods.
  7. Preparation of management plans for individual water bodies: Most large water bodies have unique individual characteristics. Therefore it is necessary to prepare separate management plans for individual water bodies.
  8. Greater role and participation of women in management and sustainable utilization of resources of aquatic ecosystems.
  9. Regulate illegal sand and clay mining around the wetlands.
  10. Implementation of sanitation facilities: It was noted with grave concern that the water bodies in most of India are badly polluted with sewage, coliform bacteria and various other pathogens. In addition to this, 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.
  11. Implementation of bioremediation method for detoxification of polluted water bodies.
  12. The highly and irremediably polluted water bodies may be fenced off to prevent fishing, cattle grazing and washing, bathing and collection of edible or medicinal plants to prevent health hazards.
  13. Based on the concept of polluter pays, a mechanism be evolved to set up efficient effluent treatment plants [ETP], individual or collective, to reduce the pollution load. Polluting industries be levied Environmental Cess, which can be utilized for conservation measures by the competent authorities. A `waste audit’ must be made compulsory for all the industries and other agencies.
  14. Restoration of lakes: The goals for restoration of aquatic ecosystems need to be realistic and should be based on the concept of expected conditions for individual eco-regions. Further development of project selection and evaluation technology based on ecoregion definitions and description should be encouraged and supported by the national and state government agencies. Traditional knowledge and practices have to be explored as remedial measures. Cost-intensive restoration measures should be the last resort after evaluating all the cost-effective measures of conservation and management of ecosystems. Lake privatised recently to be taken over and handed over to locals immediately thus restoring the traditional access to these lakes by the stakeholders.
  15. Appropriate technologies for point and non-point sources of pollution and in situ measures for lake restoration shall be compatible to local ethos and site condition as well as objectives of Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan (AERAP).
  16. Public needs to be better informed about the rational, goal and methods of ecosystem conservation and restoration. In addition, the need was realized for scientist and researchers with the broad training needed for aquatic ecosystem restoration, management and conservation.
  17. Improved techniques for littoral zone and aquatic microphytes management need to be developed. Research should go beyond the removal of nuisance microphytes to address the restoration of native species that are essential for waterfowl and fish habitat. Basic research is necessary to improve the understanding of fundamental limnological processes in littoral zones and the interactions between littoral and pelagic zones of lakes.
  18. Biomanipulation (food web management) has great potential for low-cost and long-term management of lakes, and research in this emerging field must be stimulated.
  19. Innovative and low-cost approaches to contaminant clean up in lakes need to be developed.
  20. The relations between loadings of stress-causing substances and responses of lakes need to be understood more precisely. Research should be undertaken to improve predictions of trophic state and nutrient loading relationships.
  21. Improved assessment programmes are needed to determine the severity and extent of damage in lakes and wetlands and a change in status over time.  Innovative basic research is required to improve the science of assessment and monitoring. There is a great need for cost effective, reliable indicators of ecosystems function, including those that would reflect long-term change and response to stress. Research on indicators should include traditional community   and ecosystem measurements, paleoecological trend assessments and remote sensing.  Effective assessment and monitoring programme would involve network of local schools, colleges and universities.
  22. Procedures such as food web manipulation, introduction of phytophagous, insects and fish lining, and reintroduction of native species show promise for effective and long-lasting results when used alone or in combination with other restoration measures. Further research and development needs to be undertaken on these aspects.
  23. Operation of motorized boats should not be permitted within lakes of less than 50 ha. In any case boating during the periods of breeding and congregations of birds should be banned.
  24. The process of urbanization and neglect caused disruption of linkages between water bodies such as ancient lake systems of many cities like as in Bangalore. Wherever such disruptions have taken place alternative arrangements should be provided to establish the lost linkages.
  25. Aquatic ecosystem conservation and management requires collaborated research involving natural, social, and inter-disciplinary study aimed at understanding various components, such as monitoring of water quality, socioeconomic dependency, biodiversity and other activities, as an indispensable tool for formulating long term conservation strategies. This requires multidisciplinary-trained professionals who can spread the understanding of ecosystem’s importance at local schools, colleges, and research institutions by initiating educational programmes aimed at raising the levels of public awareness of aquatic ecosystems’ restoration, goals and methods.
  26. Actively participating schools and colleges in the vicinity of the water bodies may value the opportunity to provide hands-on environmental education, which could entail setting up of laboratory facilities at the site. Regular monitoring of water bodies (with permanent laboratory facilities) would provide vital inputs for conservation and management.
  27. Environment Education: During the international conference lake 2000-2010 series, participants expressed that public needs to be better informed about the rational, goal and methods of ecosystem conservation and restoration. Public education and outreach should include all components of ecosystem restoration.
  28. In addition, the need was realized for scientist and researchers with the broad training needed for aquatic ecosystem restoration, management and conservation.
  29. Lake associations and citizen monitoring groups have proved helpful in educating the general public. Effort should be made to ensure that such groups have accurate information about the causes of lake degradation and various restoration methods.
  30. Funding is needed for both undergraduate and graduate programmes in ecosystem conservation and restorations. Training programmes should cross traditional disciplinary boundaries such as those between basic and applied ecology: water quality management and fisheries or wildlife management: among lakes, streams, rivers, coastal and wetland ecology.