Urban lakes are eco-assets of the city and perform crucial environmental, social and economic functions. They must be protected at all costs. Unfortunately, most lakes in urban regions are drying up or getting reclaimed
In one of the worst instances of fish die off, thousands of dead fish washed ashore at the popular tourist spot of Ulsoor lake in Bangalore on March 7, raising concerns about severe water pollution in the city and highlighting the worsening condition of our urban lakes. The beleaguered water bodies are becoming increasingly unable to host aquatic life thanks to reduced oxygen levels in the water due to factors such as pollution, drought, algae bloom, overpopulation and a sustained increase in water temperature.
The Bangalore event forced the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to undertake immediate measures to improve the situation at Bangalore, but the first concrete response should have been from the State Government that, in the first place, allowed the ecological health condition of its lakes to nosedive in a rapid manner. Fish die-offs are usually the first signs of environmental stress, and regular monitoring of the water quality could have forewarned the local environmental authorities regarding the deteriorating conditions of the Ulsoor lake.
The event in Bangalore also serves as a perfect case study of the mismanagement of urban water bodies.The local authorities not only turned a blind eye towards the flow of city sewage into the Ulsoor lake but also ignored the frantic feedback and complaints of the concerned citizens regarding the declining ecological health of the water body. As the frequency of these disturbing incidents increases, it is crucial for the environmental authorities to formulate lake revitalisation plans that not only seek to protect urban water bodies from pollution but also aim at reversing the damage already done.
Maintaining the biodiversity of urban water bodies amid challenges posed by pollution, has to be the foremost objectives of the authorities. The revitalisation plan must account for various problems faced by urban lakes, such as excessive influx of sediments from the lake catchment, discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage and industrial wastewater, solid-waste disposal and entry of diffused source nutrients from agriculture.
The action plan must also stem the over-exploitation of the lakes for recreation activities, fishing, encroachments, and land reclamation that result in lake shrinkage and shoreline erosion, and impact the lake hydrology. Besides, these activities cause the water quality to deteriorate.
Urban lakes should be designated as eco-assets of the city by the Government and these scarce resources must also get social and cultural recognition as they have a historical association with the community. Currently, the ecosystem service value of each lake is not well-defined, as a result of which the contribution made by the water body to the community is neither recognised nor quantified. This can be addressed by putting in place a lake assessment and planning system that is designed by the local development agencies and community.
To ensure that the lake revitalisation plan is actually implemented, the Government must rope in suitable institutions, such as NGOs or community-based groups to administer the plan. This will also ensure that the interests of all the stakeholders are included in the efforts to conserve the lakes. This will also create suitable opportunities for the public to actively engage in lake protection and restoration efforts.
Pollution taking a toll on urban lakes is a global challenge. For instance in the 19th century, Onondaga lake, located in Central New York, the US, was a popular tourist attraction, with beaches, resorts and amusement parks. Over time, industrial development and a growing population led to increases in sewage and industrial discharges that took their toll on the water quality of Onondaga lake. Swimming was banned by 1940 and fishing in 1970. But the subsequent pollution control efforts by the US Government made a tremendous difference, and today, the lake is the cleanest it has been in over 100 years. The lake has re-opened to fishing and over 65 species of fish have been documented in the lake.
The revitalisation of Onondaga lake is an inspiring case study that can form the bedrock for Indian lake revitalisation efforts, even as urban lakes in India are fast becoming endangered. For instance at the beginning of 1960s, Bangalore had 262 lakes; now it has 10. Similarly, in 2001, as many as 137 lakes were listed in Ahmedabad city, of which today 65 lakes stand dry and have been taken over by builders. Delhi too has irretrievably lost nearly 21 lakes in the last decade due to rapid urbanisation.
Urban lakes are eco-assets of the city and perform crucial environmental, social and economic functions, besides keeping a check on the challenges of unplanned rapid urbanisation. It is time to recognise their importance and to protect them.