Bangalore Recreation - Lakes | Parks | Sports

[gentem]

Scene very grim, groundwater levels falling
TNN, Jan 12, 2011, 04.59am IST

Despite the exploding growth and spread of the city, to get even a basic need like water is a struggle. The city is facing a shortage of 225 million litres of water per day (MLD). While the demand is 1,125 MLD, the supply stands at 900 MLD. Around 20% to 25% of the population in the newly added areas depend solely on groundwater.

The groundwater levels are falling sharply and natural aquifers are drying. The large expanses of Sarjapur, Electronic city and Bannerghatta Road that offer plush residential facilities to a major population of techies depend almost completely on groundwater.

The compulsory rainwater harvesting law also lost steam. The last date for the implementation of all eligible houses was May 2010. However, since people needed more time, it was extended. There is no fresh deadline.

The Cauvery 4th Stage, 2nd phase project that is supposed to bring extra 500 MLD of water will kick-start only in 2012. But experts feel that it is only a temporary solution. Reservoirs like Hessaraghatta and TG Halli are already dry and will not be able to contribute to the city's demands. According to water expert A R Shivkumar: "There have to be multiple strategies. First is water conservation. Water needs to be diverted from non-potable users like big industries to residences and for domestic purposes. Users also need to bring down water consumption. Almost 80% of the water flows down the drains.

We need to use water recycling, groundwater recharging and water conservation in strategic ways to deal with the crisis.''

Read more: Scene very grim, groundwater levels falling - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...#ixzz1An5bl45N

Realty sinks in as over 100 lakes turn into dry beds
TNN, Jan 12, 2011, 04.48am IST

Once brimming with sparkling water, now over 100 lakes in Bangalore are dry lands. Most of the area is encroached upon. Older citizens recollect that there used to be thousands of water islands in the city.

The Lakes Development Authority (LDA) recently conducted an assessment of the condition of lakes and found that out of a total of 625 lakes, over a 100 did not have water, many had very bad quality water. In all,135 lakes are under BBMP, but rejuvenation and maintenance process have been initiated in only 17 of them. A total of 260 acres of lakebeds were encroached upon by private parties and real estate giants. Only 83 acres of the encroached land have been recovered, say BBMP officials.

While encroachment remains one of the major issues, heavy sewage load from the city that is discharged into the lakes has robbed them of life. Not many have been desilted despite expensive rejuvenation programmes. At the Madiwala lake, for instance, which is under the forest department, the sewage treatment plant of 4 MLD has not been functioning for a long time. So untreated sewage water is being discharged and the lake is infested with water hyacinths. Same with most lakes that are not connected to sewage treatment plants.

A recent water sample testing by LDA shows that 16 lakes in Bangalore East have highly polluted water. So is the case with 11 lakes in South Bangalore, 9 in North Bangalore and 3 in Anekal taluk. The parameters that showed that these are highly polluted were faecal coliforms, ph, phosphate, nitrate, turbidity and others.

Read more: Realty sinks in as over 100 lakes turn into dry beds - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...#ixzz1An5uAcHH

sucking borewell water will sink the water in lakes. we want sewage treatment plants for lake chains..

[Rakeshmblore]

Agree gentem..

The compulsory rainwater harvesting law also lost steam. The last date for the implementation of all eligible houses was May 2010. However, since people needed more time, it was extended. There is no fresh deadline.

Govt should act fast before situation goes out of hand

[engineer.akash]

Night safari to begin in a month in Bangalore
Published: Saturday, Jan 15, 2011, 9:57 IST

By Bosky Khanna | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

After receiving the state high court’s nod, the tourism minister is geared up to start the most sought-after night safari in Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP). Work on the ambitious project would commence within a month after sorting out certain legal formalities, said G Janardhana Reddy, minister for tourism, infrastructure and youth services, on Friday. He was speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the three-day travel and tourism fair at Palace Grounds.

The night safari at BBP ran into controversy as environmentalists opposed the project. They argued the project would affect the elephant corridor, disturbing the pachyderms’ migratory patterns. Several forest officials also opposed the project.

The high court gave a conditional green signal to night safari on December 30 directing the government to adhere to the norms as mentioned in the project proposal. Night safari at BBP would come up at a cost of `178 crore. While `72 crore would be raised by soft loans, the state government will chip in with Rs106 crore.

Being approved and listed under the global investor’s meet (GIM), top priority is being given to night safari at BBP along with heli-tourism, said Reddy.

The first project in the heli-tourism circuit plan would start in a month.

Another project under the GIM — aqua marine park and tourism — will start in Mangalore soon. “So far, all projects proposed under the GIM are getting clearance and we aim to complete them at the earliest,” said Reddy.

[engineer.akash]

Ulsoor Lake


cc relocateeasily

image hosted on flickr


cc thumba



Lalbagh gate

image hosted on flickr


cc Alan

[gentem]

Sinking lakes gasp for oxygen
Jayashree Nandi, TNN, Jan 17, 2011, 02.24am IST

BANGALORE: Ever tried drinking water from Bangalore's lakes? Better avoid. Assessment by several organizations shows these water bodies are highly contaminated, thanks to heaps of untreated sewage flowing into them every day.

Only last week, there were reports of fish deaths at Iblur lake off Sarjapur Road. This, due to discharge of sewage water into the lake leading to depletion of oxygen supply. And this wasn't the first-of-its-kind incident. In 2008, hundreds of fish died at Siddapura lake, Marathalli, and more than a lakh perished in Jakkur lake last year due to dwindling oxygen levels in the water.

Iblur lake is spread across 18 acres, six guntas and surrounded by high-rise apartments which allegedly let out sewage into the water body.

Experts agree that lakes in the city are polluted mainly because of sewage water. Of the 625, around 100 don't have water at all. Added to that, 264.7 acres of lake area have been encroached upon.

Even as authorities are supposed to treat water before discharging it into lakes, most sewage water treatment plants (STPs) in the city do not work or have outdated facilities.

At Madiwala lake for instance, which is under the forest department, the four MLD-capacity STP hasn't been functioning for a long time. Result: untreated sewage water is being discharged and the lake is infested with water hyacinths. Ditto with most water bodies that are not connected to STPs. The immediate solution at sight is to stop discharge of sewage water into lakes.

COURT INTERVENES

The high court has now intervened by constituting a six-member committee headed by Justice N K Patil, chairman of the legal services authority, to chalk out a plan for preservation of city lakes. The report is almost ready and members say the primary recommendation is to consolidate management of lakes and hold a single department accountable for their maintenance.

According to deputy conservator of forests (DCF), Lake Development Authority (LDA), Uday Kumar, a masterplan is being prepared with action points for each agency dealing with lakes. Separation of the sewage line from lakes should be the first step in this direction, he feels. Bio-remediation (application of biological treatment to clean up hazardous contaminants in soil and surface or sub-surface water), being researched at the IISc, also has immense remedial possibilities.

WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO

* Reduce garbage and liquid waste
* Use less detergents and surfactants
* Use less water and recycle as much as possible at secondary sewage treatment plants in apartment complexes
* Utilize waste water for various purposes like gardening
* Vermicompost at home
* Urge authorities to take action against those throwing sewage into lakes

EXPERTSPEAK

We did water-quality analysis and a survey of all lakes. The extent of encroachment we found in lake bed areas is shocking. The builders' lobby is trying to snatch every inch of water bodies in Bangalore. We don't realize that lakes are our lifeline. Their absence will affect our existence. Lakes prevent flash floods and recharge underground aquifers. Wetland vegetation, aquatic and bird life are also dependent on them

Uday Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, lake development authority

Read more: Sinking lakes gasp for oxygen - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...#ixzz1BGn6UwGv


CRYING FOR ATTENTION: Iblur lake is spread across 18 acres, six guntas and surrounded by high-rises, which allegedly lets out sewage into the water body. (Right) In 2008, hundreds of fish died at Siddapura lake, Marathalli

[engineer.akash]

BBMP pushes for rainwater harvesting in its parks

Staff Reporter
Committee inspects parks at Padmanabhanagar, Kumaraswamy Layout and ISRO Layout

Parks at ISRO layout and Kumaraswamy Layout to be fenced, get pathways

BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) Standing Committee on Horticulture has announced its plans to implement rain water harvesting in parks coming under its jurisdiction, apart from maintaining fountains under repair and planting flower-bearing creepers in pergolas of parks. The committee will also encourage greening of road medians.

No improvement

The plans were announced on a day the committee went on an inspection of parks at Padmanabhanagar, Kumaraswamy Layout and ISRO Layout here on Friday. The group, headed by K. Ranganna, found that no improvements had been made in the Kumaragiri Park since the time the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) handed it over to the BBMP seven years ago.

Detailed project report

South Zone horticulture officials were directed to make a detailed project report for developmental works in the seven-acre park. Significantly, the committee decided to prevent shrines from coming up within the park.

The park in ISRO Layout will soon get chain link fencing, apart from landscaping and a pathway, while that in the second phase of Kumaraswamy Layout will also be fenced, apart from getting a borewell, pathway and electric pole.

Residents' request

The Hoysala Park may get an additional 20 benches apart from the existing ones as per the request of the local residents.

Meanwhile, the park touted to be named after the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will get an uplift with the addition of a bore well, pergola and a canopy.

The Hindu

[gentem]

After severe chill, dry days in the offing
TNN, Jan 25, 2011, 12.11am IST

BANGALORE: May be it's time you got those water bottles and shades out, lest the weather leaves you high and dry. With almost no precipitation for a month now, days are getting dry as mercury levels soar. And according to the met department, the dry bout will continue in the coming week too.

On Sunday, maximum temperature in the city was around 28 degree Celsius and the minimum was around 15 degrees. However, in outskirts like Yelahanka and HAL, temperature has been below normal, around 12 degree Celsius. The past few days were more windy, keeping temperatures at bay. However, clear skies still led to hot afternoons.

"There are remote chances of cloud formations now. It's likely to be dry for sometime and in February temperature will slowly go up. The cold wave conditions are not there in any part of the state now," said Putanna B, director, meteorological department.

Bijapur and Raichur recorded around 5 degrees below normal on Sunday. In Gulbarga, the maximum temperature soared to 33 degree Celsius. Mangalore too was warm, recording 34 degrees on Sunday.

Read more: After severe chill, dry days in the offing - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...#ixzz1C1LOZc4N

long time it rained in bangalore

[Rakeshmblore]

Vanishing parks of Bangalore

BANGALORE: Parks in Bangalore, once known as the Garden City, have been steadily vanishing and little is being done to restore them.Nearly 10 months after the new council of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was elected, work at most of the parks is yet to start.
The Palike, in its budget last year, had earmarked Rs 159 crore for development and maintenance of parks in the city. From that, Rs 37 crore was to be spent on horticulturerelated works for the 455 parks in the city."There are 1,140 parks in the city," said a BBMP official in the Horticulture department on condition of anonymity. He said out of them, 778 were developed and 362 still needed work.
Parks need immediate attention
Many of the parks need immediate attention as disasters are waiting to happen at these places.In November 2009, a twoyearold boy was killed when a bench at a park tipped over suddenly. Diganth was sitting on the bench with his father and was killed in the accident.
The family blamed and residents of the area blamed the Palike for negligence and the poor quality of work done by the officials.
The victim's family, which staged a protest a week ago, have alleged that no action was taken against the erring officials for constructing such a bench at the park.
Fewer visitors
Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park are arguably the biggest and the most popular parks in the city that attract visitors and tourists from in and around the city.
But with the increasing traffic and infrastructural changes, the number of people visiting these parks have decreased over time.Future plansIn an effort to ensure convenience and to retain the tag of garden city, the BBMP took up the task of developing the existing parks and creating some new ones.Rain Water Harvesting was also to be ensured at the parks but so far only 50 parks have this facility.The BBMP has proposed to set up another 130 units by the end of 2011.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangal...re/242689.html

[engineer.akash]

Ulsoor lake

image hosted on flickr


http://www.flickr.com/photos/cblue98...n/photostream/

[nandan_ks]

image hosted on flickr



image hosted on flickr

[gentem]

They raced against time to save lake
TNN, Feb 7, 2011, 01.06am IST

BANGALORE: There were no prizes or goodies for the Sunday run. The unparalled winner was the undying spirit of concerned Bangaloreans to save the dying Bellandur lake.

Citizens have been fighting for 13 years to save the water body, the largest in East Bangalore. The `Bellandur Lake Run' on Sunday was their latest call for action. The event found people of all ages and professions joining hands with environmental activists and ecologists to voice their concern.

Spotted among them were children, students, IT professionals, homemakers and even villagers. Some young, enthusiastic parents hit the track carrying their infants in baby bags. Bicyclists and colourful posters added to the spirit of the hour-long run on Outer Ring Road, from near Intel building to the banks of the lake in Yamlur.

"This run is just another beginning. We are not sure if it will prompt authorities to react. But at least we have made more people aware. The court gave specific directions on the issue in 1999. With no Cauvery water and drying borewells, saving this lake can help end water woes,'' Meera K, a resident, told TOI.

The fight to save Bellandur lake was started by environmentalist R Ram Murthi and K Jagannath, a former panchayat chairman of the area, 13 years ago. They won a historic case at the high court, which directed the government to clean up all lakes in the city and prevent untreated sewage water from entering these water bodies.

However, the delay in taking action has frustrated residents. They allege that only a fraction of sewage effluents entering the lake is treated.

Jagannath recalled how the beautiful lake of his childhood with variety of fish drastically transformed into a scanty stinking patch of polluted water. "We used to swim here, and the water was also used for drinking and irrigation purposes in villages,'' he said.

"Saving the lake is as important as modern airports and Metro trains. Bangalore needs a comprehensive sewage treatment plan,'' said R Srinivas from Yamalur Youth Club.


FOR A BETTER FUTURE: Setting an example for the next generation, young parents wheel their little ones in prams and participate in the run to save Bellandur lake

Read more: They raced against time to save lake - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...#ixzz1DEz0VWzT

Saving the lake is as important as modern airports and Metro trains

[vlakshmi_n]

Students join ‘Save Bellandur’ bandwagon

After IT professionals and homemakers, it was students’ turn to create awareness about saving Bellandur lake, Bangalore’s biggest water body.

Nearly 70 students from the various city schools participated in a walkathon and lake trail at Bellandur to create awareness on safeguarding the lake from further degradation. The event was organised by TERI in collaboration with Tetra Pak India Pvt Ltd as part of a three-day TRASH (Thinking, Reflecting, and Acting for a Sustainable Habitat) festival here on Tuesday. Enthusiastic students and teachers stopped passersby and motorists to educate them on the need to preserve the lake. They also took part in a lake clean-up drive, clearing plastic and other waste from the lake bed.

Unplanned development : The Bellandur lake catchment area has been a victim of extreme environmental stress mainly due to rampant unplanned developmental activities in recent years. Besides, the watershed areas of the lake have been converted into residential and commercial layouts. These factors have altered the hydrological regime — enhancing silt movement and lowering water yield in the catchment areas and thus affecting groundwater recharge, according to a study. Student representatives and teachers from Army Public School, Delhi Public School (South), Mitra Academy, Sarla Birla Academy, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sai Shankar Vidya Shala, Devanga Sangha, Navachethana, National Centre for Excellence and Frank Anthony Public School took part in the event.

[gentem]

Bangalore least polluted of metros
Published: Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 10:34 IST
By Bosky Khanna | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

If you think Bangalore is the most polluted city, you are wrong.

According to principal secretary of environment, ecology, and forests, Koushik Mukharji, the city is better than other metros.

“The vehicular pollution and number of vehicles are less, compared to Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. We are the least in carbon monoxide emission. This is because Bangalore is at a higher altitude, when compared to other metros,” he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the release of the quarterly newsletter ‘Karnataka Parisara Vahini’ by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

He added that KSPCB should put up more boards around the city to educatecitizens about pollution levels. There have been cases where industrieshave not been told of the rules, making the licence processingdifficult. This should be looked into. Mere imposition of fine will not suffice.

KSPCB chairman AS Sadashivaiah said the newsletter will highlight the efforts taken by the board to control pollution levels. It will also highlight how the city can go green and the plans by the board for further improvements in the city.

are they sure about this?

[gentem]

Going shopping? Carry your own bags
Jayashree Nandi, TNN, Feb 15, 2011, 11.38pm IST

BANGALORE: Come February 19, thin plastic bag manufacturers in the state will shut shop. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed 64 registered manufacturers to halt producing bags less than 40 microns thick.

To many Bangaloreans who have been seeing drains getting clogged with filthy plastic bags or landfills full of non-biodegradable plastic, this will come as a huge relief.

The board's move follows a notification from the ministry of environment and forests to implement the plastic waste management rules of 2011 that ban bags below 40 microns. "Now, there is no other option but to stop manufacture of all thin plastic bags as it is a gazette notification. Violators can be taken to court. Even though the notification came into effect on February 4, not many were aware of it. We are informing them to stop manufacturing bags below 40 microns," said D R Kumaraswamy, environment officer, hazardous waste management cell of KSPCB.

However, he had no idea about the number of illegal manufacturers in the state and whether they knew about the new notification. "As we control the manufacturing side, we also need to make sure that virgin and recycled plastic are not mixed. Also, we need to see that all recycled or compostable plastic are as per BIS standards, as stipulated in the notification," he added.

According to KSPCB, there are no gutka or tobacco packet manufacturers in their list. But if they are in Karnataka, they will be tracked and intimated about the ban of all such sachets.

BBMP IN THE DARK

Ironically, the main implementing authority, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has no idea about the new rules. As per the notification, they are supposed to ensure safe collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste, and setting up of collection centres for plastic waste involving manufacturers.

More importantly, no carry bags shall be made available free of cost to consumers. BBMP may determine the minimum price for plastic carry bags.

Environmental officers at the Palike said they are not sure about the new rules and need to take advise from KSPCB.

1999 Rules still on paper

Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999, which banned plastic bags below 20 micron thickness, were not implemented in toto. These thin bags are still sold across the city in kirana stores, vegetable shops and meat stores. Around 14% of total garbage generated is plastic, amounting to 35 to 40 tonnes per day.

On the flip side, there is no penalty for thin plastic bags users in the new rules, which weakens management of plastic waste. Also, there has to be rigorous monitoring to get the latest rules implemented strictly.

thinner plastic covers on their way out.. only thicker ones u can use that are little costlier hence u use less

[Rakeshmblore]

Check lake safety with locals, say experts

BANGALORE: While Bangalore's lakes are polluted, lakes and ponds outside the city could be polluted and dangerous too. In villages there is hardly any regulation of waterbodies. The best bet to find out is the local community who know the character of the lake very well, according to experts.

Presently, not many lakes have been taken up for development. The lakes that are being developed under the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) are Kotekere in Belgaum, one lake each in Davanagere, Hassan, Chikmaglur, Sirsi and Gulbarga. The lakes that are taken up for conservation and development under this have to satisfy the criteria of NLCP. The Centre funds 70% of the project and the state government funds the rest. The project involves rejuvenation, stopping of sewage discharge and beautification of lakes.

The minor irrigation department has a few lakes, the rest are with the zilla panchayat and the Jala Samvardhane Yojana Sangha funded by the World Bank. The community around the waterbody takes up the responsibility and form a part of the sangha and speak out or take up projects on the basis of the condition of the lake. Some water bodies are taken up as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission ( JNNURM).

"There is no such rule for fencing of lakes. The community in villages or smaller towns know their lakes __ the safe and treacherous spots. So people or tourists should consult the local community," said Uday Kumar, deputy conservator of forests, Lake Development Authority (LDA), Uday Kumar.

Times of India

[Rakeshmblore]

Lakes have made Bangalore the metropolis that it is today: Panel

Over 400 lakes should be immediately protected and rehabilitated in an area spread over 1,200 sq km of Bangalore Urban region, said an expert committee constituted by the high court to examine ground realities and prepare action plan for the preservation of lakes in Bangalore.

The report was sought by an interim direction by the division bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice AS Bopanna while hearing a public interest litigation filed by an environment support group, challenging the privatisation of lakes in the city.

The report was prepared by a committee headed by Justice NK Patil, who is the chairman of Karnataka High Court Legal Services Committee.

The report said, “If it were not for the tanks (lakes) providing water security in an otherwise semi-arid area, it is more than likely that the journey (of Bangalore) towards a successful metropolis would have been truncated centuries ago.”

The 137-page report says that Bangalore is under intense urbanisation and has only about 386 lakes left, and that the status of 121 lakes is unknown. It also acknowledges that up to 100 lakes have disappeared as they were converted for various projects like bus stations, roads, layouts, garbage dumps, truck stands, etc.

Proposal to protect and rehabilitate lakes

The key recommendations include immediate action to remove encroachments from lake area and also rajakaluves (canals interconnecting lakes). This is sought to be done by conducting a thorough survey of legal limits of all lake and canal areas, thereby protecting the entire watershed.

The strategy proposed is “survey, removal of encroachments, fencing, watch and ward, clearing of blocked and encroached rajakaluves and drains, waste-ware repairs, and de-silting to the extent absolutely required”. It recommends that “lake restoration must be taken up based on lake series or sub-T series and not in isolation” and that “lake preservation is not limited to lake area itself, but very much dependant on catchments area and the drains that bring rainwater to the lake”.

The thrust is on to ensure that passage of sewage into lakes are stopped and offenders are strictly penalised. It is also proposed to select lakes that are relatively undisturbed and turn them into drinking water reservoirs by blocking off sewage entry.

Lakes with high biodiversity, especially of migratory waterfowl, will be notified for conservation under the Wetland (Conservation and Management Rules), 2010, as per the Environment Protection Act.
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.

[Rakeshmblore]

‘Only treated water in lakes by 2014’

BANGALORE: If all goes well, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board would only send treated water into the lakes by 2014, according to the report, ‘Action Plan for Preservation of Lakes in Bangalore, submitted by a ten-member committee.
The committee is headed by Justice N K Patil of Karnataka High Court and Chairman of the Karnataka High Court Legal Services Committee.
The report was submitted to the Karnataka High Court here on Friday.
Following several petitions at the High Court regarding survey of lake areas and removal of encroachments, stoppage of sewerage entry into lakes, among other things, the High Court constituted the committee in an order dated November 26, 2010, to examine the ground realities and prepare an action plan for the preservation of lakes in Bangalore.
The ten-member committee included PB Ramamurthy, chairman, BWSSB, Bharat Lal Meena, Commissioner, BDA, and Siddaiah, Commissioner, BBMP, among others officials.
Lake development like desilting should be taken up until after entry of sewage is restricted into the lakes, states the report. It also offers to restore lakes by 2014.
The report criticised the BDA’s earlier policy to acquire lake area for development of layouts and asked it to preserve lake areas in the future and plan parks around lakes creating a natural buffer zone.
The report warns against a repeat of unplanned development of core area Bangalore city.
Storm water drains and underground drains should to be constructed before allotting the sites, says the report.
The strategy for preservation of lakes included innovative methodologies such as using differential global positioning system (GPS) and record latitude and longitudinal values of corner stones of all lakes to prevent land grabbing.
Also, geographical information system (GIS) is to be established, it says.
The present norm of 30 mt buffer surrounding legal boundary of lakes to be increased progressively by 2 mts per every 5 hectare of increase in lake area beyond 40 hac and buffers are to be created even for canals (rajakaluves).
The report also recommends imposition of green cess on vehicle users and energy- inefficient buildings.
Funds generated thus can be used for maintenance and restoration of lakes. Also, the report recommends to extend the scope of Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force to remove encroachments and to create a separate cell in Revenue Department with 100 dedicated surveyors to complete the lake survey.

[Rakeshmblore]

Over half of Bangalore's sewage flows into storm water drains, lakes: Report

More than half the sewage generated in Bangalore is directly discharged into stormwater drains and lakes, contaminating water bodies and ground water, a CAG report revealed.

The existing sewage network covers only 40% of Bangalore Metropolitan Region (BMR) and the sewage treatment plants receive only 47% of the sewage generated, says the report of the CAG (comptroller and auditor general of India) for the year ended March 31, 2010.

"The remaining 53 per cent was discharged directly into stormwater drains and lakes, contaminating water bodies and groundwater", according to the report, tabled in the current session of the state legislative assembly.

"The groundwater quality in BMR was affected due to presence of pollutants in excess of permissible limits".

Though concentration of air pollutants continued to be high at many places in BMR, an effective plan to control air pollution could not be drawn up due to non-finalisation of source apportionment studies.

The CAG conducted a performance audit covering the period of 2005-2010 between May 2010 and August 2010 to verify compliance with existing legislations and other instruments to prevent and control water and air pollution and to secure environmental safeguards in construction activities in BMR.

As per the performance audit, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had not drawn up any concrete action plan to address pollution-related issues, leading to under-utilisation of available funds.

"The board had upspent balance of Rs208.03 crore at the end of March 2010", it said.

The KSPCB did not maintain a proper inventory of polluting sources and faced shortage of manpower. This resulted in ineffective identification and inspection of polluting units and facilitated operation of a large number of polluting units without installing pollution control systems, the report said.

The CAG recommended that the institutional capacity of KPSCB be strengthened by providing adequate technical and scientific staff to ensure that an appropriate match exists between the organisational mandate and the institutional structure.

"A comprehensive action plan for prevention and control of water and air pollution needs to be drawn up and implemented for effective utilisation of funds", it said.

To secure coordination of water pollution control measures, a formal mechanism ensuring participation of all stakeholders like departments of Health, Agriculture,Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board, Lake Development Authority and KSPCB needs to be established.

The CAG said improvement to sewage network and sewage treatment needs to be given priority.

[avinash2060]

This thread Tracks Everything about Bangalore Sports Stadiums | Sports Clubs | Fitness Centre

[avinash2060]

Bangalore, Mar 12: A proposal to build an entirely new cricket stadium may soon take shape at Rajanukunte near Yelahanka on the outskirts of the city.

It may be recalled here that a ruckus was created in the assembly over irregularities in the issue of the World Cup cricket match here recently. At that time, chief minister Yeddyurappa had made an announcement that a new well-quipped cricket stadium would be built in the city.


A nightly view of the present Chinnaswamy stadium

Quite uncharacteristic of politicians' promises, things have astonishingly moved so fast that a government land in Rajanukunte has been identified as the most suitable location.

The CM suggested to Karnataka State Cricket Association president and former India cricketer Anil Kumble that he accompany the government officials to the location to make a feasibility study.

The KSCA had indicated that a land of extent of 70 acres would be required for the stadium. As suggested by the CM, Kumble accompanied Bangalore north assistant commissioner G C Gangadharaswamy, additional tahsildar Venkatesh, revenue inspector Balakrishna and other officials and collected data and details of the proposed land.

The land bearing survey no. 79 extending to 125 acres was inspected by the team. Out of that 70 acres are likely to be earmarked for the stadium, which is proposed to have a seating capacity of 80,000.

One of the best advantages of the location is its proximity to the Bangalore International Airport (to be named as Kempegowda international airport soon). This will be useful to players from outside the state and India to reach the stadium in a much shorter period of time.

The Chinnaswamy stadium, where currently matches are held, is in the busy downtown district close to M G Road, it might not be a congested area on the days of matches. If planned well, star hotels are likely to come up very close to the stadium. They can accommodate cricket teams. It could be a far-sighted idea.
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?...dcastid=227098