Conserve lakes, prevent flooding, say IISc experts

Just as the City is recovering from the shock of floods due to heavy rainfall earlier this week, the ‘Brainstorming session on conservation of lakes’, has come out with immediate recommendations to prevent the flooding.

Dr T V Ramachandra, Convenor, Urban Ecology, Environment and Policy Research Group Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), IISc, said, “Flood plains of the lakes should be delineated, the 200m around the lake must be declared a buffer zone and there should be no activities around this.”

The other recommendations include immediate demarcation of the boundary of the lakes and clearing the water bodies of exotic plant species and fish to protect the indigenous aquatic life. “These exotic species threaten the local species by bringing them on the brink of extinction,” he said.  The session, which witnessed several experts presenting their findings on lake conservation, suggested keeping the water bodies clear of sewage water, solid waste and other matter.

A N Yellappa Reddy, former forest officer and noted environmentalist spoke of the technology available to prevent pollution of water, and suggested that all major apartments and industries compulsorily opt for treatment plant and usage of recycled water.