Very soon, Madiwala Lake will turn into a biodiversity park, comprising several native tree species and home to migratory birds.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday laid the foundation stone for the biodiversity park at Madiwala lake and a project to rejuvenate the Agara lake.
Prof C R Babu, Professor Emeritus CEMDE, School of Environment Studies, University of Delhi and member of the Knowledge Commission, has prepared the blueprint for the development of these lakes. The government has already issued work orders. The work is likely to be completed in the next three years.
He said that most of the trees in Madiwala lake are not native species.
So around 2,000 trees of different native species will be planted. At least 50% of the silt removed from Madiwala lake will be used as manure for plantation and increasing the surface level to avoid flooding.
Babu and Knowledge Commission members had surveyed many city lakes and chose these two because of the recent flooding.
Madiwala lake has less sewage and some life, compared to Agara.
An official from Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority said that after the project, Madiwala lake area will increase by four acres from the existing 40 acres and around 34,000 cubic metres of silt will be removed.
The water storing capacity of Agara lake will also improve after 75,000 cubic metres of silt is removed from the 149.24-acre lake. Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramanath Rai and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were present.
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