Conclusion

The current study based on sampling of water in twelve urban wetlands in Bellandur catchment showed that some lakes are highly contaminated due to the sustained inflow of untreated or partially treated sewage and effluents. The physico-chemical parameters in water samples collected from lakes exceeded the permissible limits set by BIS and ICMR standards for drinking quality and inland waters. PCA analysis further substantiate anthropogenic pollution, evident from the extent of respective variables loadings of the first and second Principal components. CA grouped the lakes into four separate clusters: less polluted, moderately polluted, highly polluted and very highly polluted based on the different water quality parameters. The sustained inflow of sewage and dumping of wastes have degraded the water quality. The present study urges the need for the restoration of degrading lakes in Bangalore to ensure sustainability of a healthy ecosystem. Appropriate aquatic conservation strategy is necessary to maintain and conserve spatial connectivity within and between the watersheds and also to preserve the quality of water necessary to support biotic components of wetland ecosystems.