Approach to Rehabilitation of Urban Lakes: a Case Study in Mysore City
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International Journal of Engineering and Techniques - Volume 6 Issue 2, March 2020 RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS Approach to Rehabilitation of Urban Lakes: A Case Study in Mysore City Dr. Jyotirmoy Sarma (Email: [email protected]) Abstract: Need for rehabilitation of lakes and water bodies within urban areas has been recognised by Government and general public. Because of this, some projects on rehabilitation of urban lakes have been taken up in India. But, planning and implementation of lake rehabilitation project in not easy. Adequate experience in lake rehabilitation projects is essential for project implementing agencies. The paper attempts to share the Author’s experience in lake rehabilitation project in India. Keywords - Urban lake, rehabilitation, beautification, ownership of lake, feeder channel 1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT In urban areas of India, there are many urban land ownership issue and therefore lakes or water bodies. Many urban lakes rehabilitation works were not taken up. The including the feeder channels to the lakes are situation of the lakes before implementation encroached by people. Solid wastes are of the project was as below: dumped into the lakes. As a result, many i) Both the lakes named Karanji and urban lakes are dying. This has increased urban flooding and caused different Kukkarahalli were not in bad environmental problems such as mosquito condition. breeding, smell nuisance, water pollution etc. ii) The lakes had clear ownerships. Therefore, there is an urgent need to Karanji lake was owned by Mysore rehabilitate all neglected lakes in different Zoo Authority, while Kukkarahalli towns and cities in India. After rehabilitation, lake was owned by University of the urban lakes can become recreational areas Mysore. and improve quality of life of people. iii) The owners of the lakes had shown keen interest in rehabilitation of the 2. THE CASE STUDY: lakes. The case study project was for rehabilitation iv) Water in the lakes was polluted and of five lakes within Mysore City. The lakes there was high silting. There were were in bad condition and needed periodic events of death of fish in rehabilitation. For rehabilitation of the lakes, the lakes. detailed project reports were prepared for the v) Weeds had grown over water spread five lakes. However, actual implementation areas of the lakes. of rehabilitation works was carried out in two lakes only. The remaining three lakes had ISSN: 2395-1303 http://www.ijetjournal.org Page 1 International Journal of Engineering and Techniques - Volume 6 Issue 2, March 2020 vi) There was no recreational facility The rehabilitation works done by the near the lakes. contractor in Kukkarahalli Lake included the vii) There was high pressure from following: several local non- governmental organisations on Government for - Removal and disposal of weeds from rehabilitation of the lakes. the lake - Desilting of the lake and formation of The main activities carried out in the project were: islands within the lake i) Topographic survey of the water - Formation of a bund on western side spread and fore shore areas of the - Construction of approach drain, silt traps lakes was done. and wetlands ii) Rehabilitation works were identified - Providing drinking water facilities based on analysis of existing situation - Construction of dust bins by detailed field studies. - Providing barbed wire fencing iii) Beautification works were decided by - Improvement of existing southern bund architects engaged in the project, - Restoration of feeder canals to the lake iv) There were detailed consultations with different stake holders to decide - Redevelopment of pathways inside the on rehabilitation and beautifications park works to be taken up. - Water supply and sanitary works for v) Detailed drawings of proposed toilet block and drinking water facilities rehabilitation works were prepared - Providing parking facilities for vehicles along with cost estimates. - Construction of a public toilet in the lake vi) Detailed project reports were prepared premises for rehabilitation of each of the lakes. - Electrification works for the toilet, The reports were approved by State parking area, and bund area Government. vii) Subsequently, two separate bid The rehabilitation works carried out by documents were prepared to take up contractor in Karanji Lake included the actual works in the lakes. Two following: separate contractors were selected to take up rehabilitation works in both - Removal and disposal of weeds from the lakes. the lake - Desilting of the lake - Providing revetment to the feeder channel - Diversion of incoming waste water drains to the lake - Construction of silt traps and wetlands for incoming drains - Providing drinking water facility - Construction of dust bins - Construction of elephant ride machan ISSN: 2395-1303 http://www.ijetjournal.org Page 2 International Journal of Engineering and Techniques - Volume 6 Issue 2, March 2020 - Construction of bird watch tower such lakes. Generally, such lakes also - Construction of large walk in bird aviary have land ownership dispute. made of chain link net - Providing lighting (solar) fixtures iii) Entry of waste water in to lakes from drains is a major issue. Preferably, waste - Construction of a small bridge to water flows into urban lakes should be connect to an existing butterfly park diverted by construction of interception within the lake and diversion structures. If that is not - Providing chain link fencing in parts of possible, onsite treatment of waste water boundaries at their entry points to the lake needs to - Construction of entrance gate cum ticket be provided. counter - Construction of a boating jetty iv) There are illegal construction activities - Providing car parking facilities, over the path of inflow channels to the lakes. In one lake in the case study, the improvement of internal roads and paths of inflow channels are fully providing railing at existing culverts encroached. Entry of storm water into - Construction of a Public Toilet in the lake needs to be ensured by removing lake premises encroachments on the alignment of - Electrification works for the toilet, inflow channels. entrance cum ticket counter, bird watch tower etc. v) Desilting works in existing lakes are difficult to execute. Large desilting 3. MAJOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: works in urban lakes need to be done by engaging suitable machinery. The major findings from implementation of the lake rehabilitation project were: vi) There is high appreciation from public i) For lake rehabilitation projects, on lake rehabilitation project, if topographic survey needs to be carried implemented properly. out in foreshore and water spread areas of the lakes. Detailed project report for vii) Concerned urban authorities in India lake rehabilitation works should be should direct land revenue authorities to prepared by engaging professional identify and measure land at locations of consultants. There should be all water bodies in urban areas. Strict experienced architect in the consultant s ’ measures should be taken to remove team. encroachments inside the water bodies and over its inflow channels. ii) Several existing urban lakes were encroached, solid wastes are dumped viii) Urban lakes in any city can be converted and waste water drains were linked to into recreational areas. This will improve the lakes. Lakes with high encroachment quality of life of residents of the city. and in real bad condition are generally not taken up for rehabilitation. ix) Projects on rehabilitation of urban lakes Concerned authorities have tendency to need to be included in large Government avoid taking up rehabilitation works in ISSN: 2395-1303 http://www.ijetjournal.org Page 3 International Journal of Engineering and Techniques - Volume 6 Issue 2, March 2020 projects like AMRUT, Smart City Mission etc. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions presented in the paper are personal opinion of the author. ISSN: 2395-1303 http://www.ijetjournal.org Page 4 .