JOIN USBellandur wetland model ready for expert scrutiny today
Moving a step closer to reviving the dying Bellandur lake, the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) has prepared a blueprint of the wetland model for the 910-acre water body.
But before the final wetland report is placed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for approval, the KLCDA had invited Prof C R Babu from Delhi University and Prof T V Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to examine the blueprint at Bellandur lake on Tuesday.
“Based on their suggestion, the blueprint will be placed before the NGT for final approval,” said G Vidyasagar, chief executive officer, KLCDA.
Prof Babu is a noted botanist who has been working on Yamuna and Madiwala biodiversity parks. Ramachandra is a professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Energy and Wetland Research Group, IISc, and a member of the lake expert committee.
On April 19, the NGT had ordered the Karnataka government to submit a report of short-, medium- and long-term measures to revive the lake and show visible improvement in its condition within two weeks. This deadline ends on May 4. The government is likely to ask for more time.
“Although the initial blueprint of wetlands is ready, I would request for two more days as the suggestions of the two experts need to be incorporated. We have prepared a mechanical and biological remediation plan which would cost around Rs 35 crore. The plan includes introduction of plants to clear nutrients and improve the slopes around drains to channelise the flow of water,” Vidyasagar explained.
The Urban Development Department is also planning to plead before the NGT for more time as work on the ground has been limited.
“The floating machines to clear the weeds from the lake have not yet been put into action, the lake is still frothing and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) are unable to control it. The BDA and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are yet to plan how to dispose the weeds and silt removed from the lake. Time would also be needed as the construction of sewage treatment plants is also not yet finalised,” the official said.
DH News Service