Karnataka set to get an atlas of all its lakes

KLCDA ready with full data of 1,518 waterbodies in B'luru, to release it in Oct

Karnataka will soon have an atlas of its lakes. The atlas is being prepared by the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) in coordination with the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI).

At present, people need to cull information on lakes from the websites of various government departments. Details such as the custodian of the lake and its status are available only in this manner. But starting October, all the details will be available on the KLCDA’s website.

“We are creating an atlas of Karnataka’s lakes. To start with, we have covered all 1,518 waterbodies in the Bengaluru metropolitan region. The idea is to give all details about waterbodies in the state in the simplest format possible so that people can understand and judge for themselves,” Seema Garg, Chief Executive Officer, KLCDA, told DH.

The atlas will bring out such details as how many waterbodies remain intact, how many are lost, how many have lost their originality and how many face threats. The data on the waterbodies will be regularly updated to the list. The atlas, along with the cartography, will be released in the first week of October, she added. 

The atlas will give the actual status of each waterbody — its water quality, history, satellite imagery, revenue sketch, encroachments, custodians, threats and the how its water is being used (fishing, washing, etc). The water quality has been assessed as per the inland surface water classification prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The 12-member team from the EMPRI has classified waterbodies into three categories — those less than one acre are called Kunte, those between one and three acres are Gokatte and those above three acres lakes. According to the study, there are 392 lakes, 85 Gokattes and 204 Kuntes.

The study, on which the KLCDA spent Rs 1.86 crore, went on for a year and a half.

Ritu Kakkar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, EMPRI, said the atlas would not state which are the worst or best lakes in the Bengaluru metropolitan region. The EMPRI team is, however, preparing a detailed report on lakes that need rejuvenation on a priority basis. This is in addition to the lake atlas. The report will also be uploaded on the website.