ENVIS Technical Report: 95,  August 2015

DETRIMENTAL LANDUSE CHANGES IN AGARA-BELLANDUR WETLAND
   T.V. Ramachandra1,2,*      Vinay .S1  Bharath H. Aithal1

1Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012
2Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP)
*Corresponding author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in, energy@ces.iisc.ernet.in [080-22933099]

Citation: Ramachandra T V, Vinay S and Bharath H.Aithal, 2015.  Detrimental landuse changes in Agara-Belllandur wetland, ENVIS Technical Report 95, CES, IISc, Bangalore, India
WETLANDS VIOLATIONS: PERSISTENT ABUSE AND MISUSE

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 activities in the valley zone / sensitive zone and senseless development activities to the norms of CDP: Comprehensive Development Plan/ RMP: Revised Master Plan, 2015),  (iii) violation of regulated activities in the buffer zone (30 m as per BDA), (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, (ix) dumping of bio-medical waste, etc.
Major violations in Bellandur-Agara wetlands are:

  • LAND USE CHANGES WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THE PRIMARY VALLEY – SENSITIVE REGIONS (as per RMP, 2015 of BDA: The Proposed SEZ in Agara-Bellandur 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 wetlands 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 Agara lake with Bellandur lake).
  • 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 lake.
  • Affects livelihood - Forceful eviction of local farmers due to acquisition of wetlands.
  • Construction of compound wall depriving local fishermen of their fundamental right.
  • Further encroachment of Bellandur lake.
  • Intimidation, threats and harassment of wetland researchers and conservationists.
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