Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Strategic Action Planning for Revival of Bangalore Lakes
Workshop organised by
Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd.
04 April 2013, Bangalore
A presentation made by Bhargavi S. Rao and Leo F. Saldanha
Environment Support [email protected]
Bangalore's sprawl at the cost of water security
Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 40
2
4
6
8
10
12
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Aren't Cities overreaching their environmental limits
A city's ambition is quite independent of its environmental limits. Can this growth be sustained?
A costly clean-up that has not delivered
Largely untreated waters of Vrishbhavathi enters Byramangala tank which irrigates vegetable gardens, orchards, paddies, ragi
and sugarcane fields, and also recharges ground water
Water Economics for Bangalore
Lifting Cauvery to quench Bangalore's
thirst• Cauvery water is supplied to
Bangalore from 100 kms. away and lifted over 500 metres head.
• This demands enormous investment of energy and infrastructure.
• Cauvery waters meet needs of half the city's populus. Rest depend on ground water, much of which is polluted.
How much water in Kabini?
Justice N. K. Patil Committee on Preservation of Lakes in Bangalore constituted in PIL filed by Environment Support Group
Key recommendations of Justice N. K. Patial CommittteeImmediate action to remove
encroachments from lake area and also the Raja Kaluves (canals interconnecting lakes) by undertaking legal survey of area.
Lake restoration is to be taken up based on lake series/sub-series and not in isolation.
Stop entry of raw sewage and dumping of garbage into lakes; penalise offenders.
Select lakes that are relatively undisturbed, and rehabilitate them into drinking water reservoirs.
All lakes and Raja Kaluves to be “live fenced” by growing endemic trees and shrubs.
All traditional and cultural practices, especially livelihoods related to lakes, to be protected.
Key recommendations of the Justice N. K. Patil Committee
Lakes which have very high biodiversity, especially of migratory waterfowl, will be notified for conservation under the Wetland (Conservation and Management Rules), 2010, per the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Promoting the involvement of local communities in lake preservation and restoration, the report recommends constitution of lake management committees involving local residents and voluntary organisations.
Protect the interest of traditional users of the lakes such as dhobis (washerpeople), fisherpeople, etc. and public access must not be restricted.
Key Features of Karnataka High Court Directions in ESG PIL on Lakes
1. Spatial extent of 38,000 lakes and interstitial canals across Karnataka to be protected by undertaking legal survey and the maps and information made public.
2. Sewage, industrial effluents and garbage polluting lakes to immediately stop.3. Mandatory “No Development Zone” of min. 30 metres along lake boundaries.4. All encroachments to be removed; humane rehabilitation of poor.5. All lakes and canals to be live fenced with endemic trees and plants with emphasis
on provision of food and nutritional security to local communities.6. Lakes to be rehabilitated based on ecologically sensible principles and as potential
drinking water sources.7. Desilting only when absolutely necessary; no more creation of ‘soup bowls’ as is
the practice by BDA and BBMP.8. District Lake Protection Committee to be constituted drawing representatives from
elected bodies, forest, environment and irrigation department, local communities and experts, for monitoring maintenance and rehabilitation of lakes.
9. Apex Appellate State Lake Protection Committee set up involving the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, an adjunct body of the judiciary, with power to attend to complaints relating to rehabilitation and protection of lakes.
10. State Government allocates Rs. 50 crores, with matching contributions from BBMP and BDA to rehabilitate Bangalore lakes.
Karnataka High Court 7th July 2011 Direction in ESG’s Lakes PIL seeking specific recommendations from Justice N. K. Patil on the issue of Privatisation
and Commercialisation of Lakes
Justice N. K. Patil observations on issue of Privatisation and Commercialisation of Lakes
Justice N. K. Patil Recommendations on issue of Privatisation and Commercialisation of Lakes
Karnataka Government in its Affidavit before the High Court has confirmed that it will not, any more, support privatisation and commercialisation of lakes.
Little Compliance by concerned agencies in implementing the Karnataka High Court directions
Many Lakes continue to be cesspools, and dumpyards for garbage and debris
Lack of awareness of the Committee’s recommendations among local communities and agencies
Lake bed areas continue to be encroached in violation of the court order
Lack of monitoring of violations by regulatory agencies
Karnataka Government is yet to constitute District and Apex Lake Protection Committees, a year after the order was passed, and is in Contempt of Court.
Success Story - Subramanyapura Lake protected with Judicial intervention and joint efforts of local community and media
Lessons learnt: Community involvement, especially Lakes dependent LivelihoodsFisherfolk, Dhobis, farming and
livestock rearing communities, Harvesting of lotus are some of the livelihoods that are dependent on access to lakes. Involving these communities go a long way in restoring and maintaining lakes.
Making lakes centres of recreation alone will destroy them beyond repair
Next Steps: Suggestions and RecommendationsUnderstand, appreciate and
raise awareness about the water bodies as a whole and not individually.
Lakes-Groundwater-Streams-Rivers, the entire hydrologic cycle, needs to be protected from chemical pollution.
Promoted “constructed wetlands”, small scale ETPs, to cleanse water dirtied by cities.
Enforce rain water harvesting, encourage local recycling, remove surface impermeable urban surface dressing, … let water flow.
Reclaim Lakes as Our Commons
Water- Human need or right?"Water, say the
World Bank and the United Nations, is a 'human need,' not a 'human right.'... A human need can be supplied in many ways, especially by those with money. No one can sell or trade a human right.”
Maude Barlow, co-author “Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop Corporate Theft of the World's Water”
UN declares Access to Water a basic human right –Adds Article 31:
Everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family, and no one shall be deprived of such access or quality of water due to individual economic circumstance.
The UN has declared that access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right.
A non-binding resolution was passed with 122 nations in favour, none against and 41 abstentions.
Abstaining countries said the resolution could undermine a process in the UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva to build a consensus on water rights.
THANKYOU
