Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Bangalore, when founded by Kempegowda I, faced water scarcity, which was mitigated by the ruler by building reservoirs as tanks and lakes. With rapid urbanisation, the lakes have been encroached upon and have given way to build structures catering to the citizen’s needs. According to study conducted by the Energy and Wetland Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, the 262 wetlands that existed in Bangalore in 1962 has declined by 58% by 2007. Similarly, when the city’s built up area shot up by 466% between 1973 and 2007, the number of lakes came down from 159 to 93. Lakes also sustained over the years due to the active linkages between them, which are now part of the hardscape of the city. With the increase in built environment, the city is losing out on softscapes that help rejuvenate the water table through percolation. The storm water drains established by the erstwhile rulers of Bangalore are turning grey. One of the lakes in Bangalore which is rapidly losing out on its ability to cater to the biodiversity and turning grey is Ulsoor Lake. The lake was fed by a storm water drain, a ‘nala’, connecting Miller’s tank to the lake. With urbanisation, Miller’s tank had been breached upon and the nala is feeding grey water – fed into it by the population - to the Ulsoor Lake and degenerating the microclimate. In such a condition, the function of the lake, i.e. to augment the water supply of Bangalore, is becoming redundant. It becomes necessary to intervene and revive both the nala and the lake for the same reasons. Sustainable development will ensure revenue generation in terms of tourist attraction by adding recreational facilities, at the same time reclaiming the lakefront bio diversity. These aims can be achieved due to the city’s environmental resources in terms of climate and vegetation.
Keywords: Bio-Diversity, Micro Climate, Recreation, Stormwater Management, Sustainability, Ulsoor Lake Rejuvenation.