Energy and Wetlands Research Group at Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore - 560012, India, is actively involved in studies and training on issues related to environment, water resources, energy, wetlands, geographic information systems, environmental impact assessment and natural resource management. The information about research activities is available at http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/Welcome.html

The Karnataka Environment Research Foundation (KERF), a non-profit and non-government organisation, was founded to raise public awareness concerning the seriousness of the environmental problems in Karnataka. The objectives and the activities of the Foundation have been focussed towards developing scientific, technological and practical solutions to environmental problems, and also towards developing a long term plan of action in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka and its agencies responsible for environmental protection. The information about KERF research activities is available at http://144.16.65.194/energy/finance/kerf.html

This proceedings is a compilation of Lake 2000 deliberations, intended for a wider community of researchers, students, decision-makers, governmental agencies, NGO's and activists engaged in the challenging task of conservation and management of vital resources, such as lakes and wetlands.

Lakes and wetlands have been playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance in their surrounding ecosystems. They are sinks for incoming contaminants and recycle and maintain the impaired conditions. But these fragile ecosystems have become imperilled due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. A co-ordinated and quick action is needed to restore and preserve these aquatic ecosystems. Failure to check the destruction of these ecosystems will cost mankind dear in that it will indirectly support the extinction of species and permanent ecological damage.

Restoration helps in restructuring and recreating the ecosystem to its former pure state. Restoration of lakes and wetlands are viewed in the watershed context. The major hurdle in watershed restoration is institutional and educational. Effective restoration can be achieved through collaboration among scientists, economists, administrators, policy makers and local people. In this regard, Lake 2000 - The International Symposium on 'Restoration of Lakes & Wetlands' was organised by the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and Karnataka Environment Research Foundation (KERF), Bangalore, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) [INEP], Foundation for Nature Exploration and Environmental Conservation (FNEEC) and Karnataka Forest Department, Bangalore from 27th to 29th November 2000 at the CSIC Auditorium in IISc.

Lake 2000 was sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forest [MoEF], Govt. of India, Indian Council for Agricultural Research [ICAR], Govt. of India, The Commonwealth of Learning [COL], Canada, Philips Software Centre Ltd. [PSCL], Bangalore, Society of Wetland Scientists [SWS], Kansas, USA and ISKCON, Bangalore.

Lake 2000 aimed at bringing the current trends in lakes and wetlands restoration including hydrological and biophysical aspects, people's participation and the role of non-governmental, educational and governmental organizations, and future research needs for the restoration, conservation and management of wetlands, providing a forum for researchers, technologists, economists, sociologists and others to meet and discuss water related issues. The symposium provided planners, scientists, administrators and NGO's concerned with watershed development programme in the region, a forum to discuss the various aspects involved in the management of wetlands. This enabled better understanding of the hydrology, development of water and land resources programmes and monitoring their performance for sustainable development.

Experts, academicians, researchers and young students presented their work in ten technical sessions, each chaired by a senior scientist from India and abroad. The symposium served as a platform for exchanging views, sharing innovative techniques and exploring new areas for further applied research and development in water related issues. The chairmen of the sessions were: Dr. N.V. Joshi, Dr. J. R. Mudukavi, Dr. Dilip Kumar, Dr. M. B. Krishna, Dr. H. N. Chanakya, Dr. Jack Vallentyne, Dr. B.B. Jana, Dr. J. Sarkkula and Dr. Devashish Kar.

The inaugural function was presided over by Prof. Arcot Ramachandran, Former Under Secretary General of United Nations and Former Secretary DST, Govt. of India. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Rajasekara Murthy, President, KERF, Bangalore. Dr Raman Sukumar, Chairman of the Centre for Ecological Sciences, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, Convenor of the symposium, proposed the vote of thanks. Scientists from abroad, notably Dr. Jack Vallentyne, Dr. Rajasekara Murthy, Dr.Ganesh Vallamkonda (Canada) and Dr. Juha Sarkkula (Finland) actively participated in the symposium. Another highlight of this symposium was the participation of students from different schools and colleges.

A Panel Discussion was held on the 29th. The panelists were Dr. Yellappa Reddy, Dr. Raveendra, Dr. Dilip Kumar and Dr. Rajasekara Murthy, who was the moderator. The panelists presented their views on the Restoration of Lakes and Wetlands - Conservation and Management strategies. The valedictory function was held the same day. The chief guest on this occasion was Dr. Bob Hoekstra, CEO of Philips Software Centre Limited. Dr. Jack Vallentyne delivered the presidential address, while Dr. Rajasekara Murthy highlighted the reasons for conducting Lake 2000 and described the outcomes. Dr. T.V.Ramachandra proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. Bob Hoekstra presented awards to students (school and college categories) whose papers were adjudged the best by the panel of judges (Session Chairmen, Dr. Jack Vallentyne, Dr. Juha Sarkkula, Dr. Rajasekara Murthy and Dr. T.V. Ramachandra). The award- winning students were:

SCHOOL CATEGORY
Sustainable Water Resource Management Policy - "Think Globally, Act Locally"
Bhavana. Y. (Poornaprajna Education Centre High School, Bangalore)
Restoration of lakes and wetlands
Parul Khare (Kendriya Vidyala, DRDO, Bangalore)
Act now before it is too late
Divya Rao (Poornaprajna Education Centre High School, Bangalore)
Conserve Nature - Protect Lakes, Community Health - Nation's Wealth
Arun Kumar.C. and Jithendra N (K.K. English High School, Bangalore)
Restoration and recovery of lakes - "Not just preaching but also practicing"
Bharath. L. (Poornaprajna Education Centre High School, Bangalore)
COLLEGE CATEGORY
Monitoring of lake water quality in and around Mysore city
Sudhira. H.S. (Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore)
Status & Socio-Economic aspects of Wetlands
Rajinikanth R. (Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore)
Quantification Studies on the Accumulation of Non Bio-Degradable Solid Waste Material in the Mangroves of the Thane Creek
Mahesh Shindikar (University of Pune, Pune)
Environmental Reporting for Sustainable Development
S.Arun Kumar & S.Mathava Kumar (Government College of Technology, Coimbatore)
Reclamation of Lakes
Vidhya S.S & Prabha S (Government College of Technology, Coimbatore)

Scientists and researchers from India and abroad presented their research findings on different aspects of wetlands, including energetics, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, disease and health of the biota (particularly fishes), sustainable utilization, management and conservation of the wetlands, reclamation and restoration of wetlands and their modeling. Lake 2000 has definitely played the role of a catalyst in planting many innovative ideas and vision to nurture a safe, beautiful and sustainable tomorrow.

We express our gratitude to Prof. Niranjan V Joshi who was extremely helpful in every possible way for organising the Lake 2000 symposium. His constant encouragement and timely suggestions were very helpful in not only organising the symposium but also in bringing out this publication.

We thank IISc authorities, security officials, and authorities in charge of CSIC auditorium for their support and co-operation. The members of the Energy and Wetlands Research Group at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, deserve a special thanks for all their efforts in the successful organising of Lake 2000.

We thank Mrs. Maria Joseph, Mr. Mahesh, Ms. Namitha Krishna and Mr. Kiran Rajashekariah for their untiring efforts in planning the logistics before, during and after the symposium. The support from Mr. Lakshminarayana, Mr.Rajinikanth, Mr. Shreekantha, Mr. Jagadeesh, Mr. G.R. Rao and other colleagues deserve special appreciation.

We express our cordial thanks to Dr. Raman Sukumar, Dr. Niranjan V. Joshi, Dr. Jack Vallentyne, Dr. Juha Sarkkula, Dr. Devashish Kar, Dr. M.B. Krishna, Dr. Dilip Kumar, Dr. B.B. Jana, Dr. H.N. Chanakya, Dr. J.R. Mudukavi and Dr. Madhyastha for their kind co-operation and for chairing the technical sessions efficiently.

Student participants of this symposium deserve special recognition for their active participation and vehemently advocating the need for conservation, restoration and sustainable management of wetlands.

We sincerely hope that this publication would go a long way in the management and restoration of lakes and wetlands.

Ramachandra.T.V , Convenor, Lake 2000
Rajasekara Murthy. C , President, KERF