Government mulls reviving lake agency, but activists say it’s not enough

BENGALURU: With the water crisis aggravating in the city, the state government is mulling reviving the Lake Development Authority (LDA).
During a meeting of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) on June 26, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said the city is looking at severe water shortage in the years to come. “There’s a need to restore the authority to address the problem,” he said.
The authority was initially formed in 2002 to revive lakes in Bengaluru and soon, its jurisdiction was extended over the entire state.In 2016, LDA was replaced by the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA). Last year, KLCDA was dissolved and merged into the minor irrigation department, much to the chagrin of activists in the state.
“At present, KLCDA does not exist because its powers were handed over to the minor irrigation department. But there is a need to strengthen the LDA,” Parameshwara said. He said funds will have to be set aside for LDA once it is revived.
Pointing out that ground water resources available to Bengaluru are meagre when compared to the requirement, he said: “Lake rejuvenation is the most important step to conserve water resources. We’re currently recycling over 700mld of water which is going to Kolar and Chikkaballapura.”
‘Take action against encroachments too’
Activists, however, said mere revival of LDA or KLCDA is not enough to give lakes a new lease of life.
Ramprasad, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, said LDA and KLCDA were into regulatory work and did not even have a permanent body of officials to monitor water bodies effectively.
“It should become a department rather than just being a body with officials on deputation. The government needs to have a strong action plan in place instead of just spending money. One can take the government’s decision seriously only when it does something concrete to stop encroachment of lakes and lakebeds,” he said.
Another activist, Nagesh Aras, said lakes should be guarded and sewage must be treated before allowing it to enter water bodies. “A single agency with the support of BBMP must monitor lakes and rejuvenate them. They should keep tabs on stormwater drains, sewage lines, wetlands and lakes as a whole,” added Aras.
Former LDA CEO Seema Garg said revival of KLCDA or LDA will do good in the long run.