Privatization of Lakes in Bangalore

Bangalore city which had more than 250 lakes in mid of last century now has less than 20 healthy lakes. The reason for vanishing lakes in Bangalore can be due to unplanned urbanization, land mafia encroaching lakes, unchecked deterioration of lakes etc. When Karnataka Government and BBMP Bangalore failed to take right measures, the Honorable High Court of Karnataka directed state government to take immediate steps. The government initiated action and Lake Development Authority (LDA), an autonomous regulatory, formed to protect lake. Well, this article talks about the social impact of privatization of lakes.

In 2004, Lake Development Authority (LDA) on behalf of state government, invited interested parties to take the lakes on a lease for 15 years under “public-private participation”. According to source, the lakes will be leased out to interested parties on a Develop Operate Transfer (DOT) basis. They would be responsible for maintaining lake and use lakes for following:

• Landscaping and gardening
• Foreshore and island development
• Boating
• Children play area
• Eco friendly water sports
• Encourage or use for fishing, bird watching, Butterfly Park

As every coin has two sides, privatization of lakes too has its own advantage and disadvantages. Some of advantage are it is a source of revenue for state government and private agency or company. The maintenance of lake will be carried out by lease-holder and there will be no pollution of water, dumping of waste in or around lake, no access to common man for washing clothes, fishing, washing of cattle etc.

Negative or disadvantages of privatization of lakes are numerous such as people who were fishing and earning livelihood will have to look for alternative as these companies or agencies will deny access to lake. The privatization scheme of the LDA will lead to entertainment/recreation zones and instead of protecting the lake, it will end in exploitation of natural resource.

Guidelines on lake privatization

Karnataka High Court has recently stipulated guidelines for lake privatization and disposed of Public interest litigation (PIL) related to privatization of city lakes. Karnataka HC said Hebbal Lake is now more visitor friendly than Nagawara and Vengayyanakere lakes. Following are guidelines by Karnataka High Court.

• Children below 12 should be given free entry in all three lakes.
• Unauthorized constructions within 30 metres of the lake periphery have to be removed.
• Flow of sewer into the tank has to be stopped.
• Silt and weeds have to be removed scientifically and periodically.
• Forest department shall undertake planting of saplings around the lake and its buffer area.
• Channels which feed the lake have to be properly protected and maintained.
• BBMP commissioner is solely responsible for maintenance of lake within civic body limits.
• A committee consisting of BBMP, conservator of forest ,Bangalore circle or his nominee, CEO of LDA, member secretary to Karnataka State Legal Services Authority shall run the bimonthly meeting on management and maintenance of lakes including leased lakes, and take steps for their improvement