Demolitions create a ‘lake’ of confusion

BENGALURU: The environmentalists have raised concerns regarding the rejuvenation of lakes, after clearing of encroachments, as they may not get water from the catchment area, which has also been encroached upon. Moreover they also wonder how the lake bed will be cleared of concrete foundation debris of demolished buildings.

Noted Environmentalist A.N. Yellappa Reddy said the water bodies recovered after demolishing structures should be rejuvenated. Otherwise they may be encroached upon again or turn into dump yards.

The intention of Supreme Court’s verdict should be considered. The ground water table has been depleting and if the wet land is not protected, the ground water table cannot be stabilized. The lakes should be rejuvenated by fencing and it should be given it characteristics, he added.

In addition the debris removed from lake bed should be recycled. The stones and steel material must be recycled, while other debris must be disintegrated and used as raw material while building roads. The government must specifically mention in the tender that the material must be reused, Reddy said.

Leo Saldanha, environmentalist and trustee of Environment Support Group (ESG) said that the soon after the encroachment on the tank bed is removed that particular area must be recovered and surveyed. Subsequently, it has to be fenced to prevent it from being encroached upon again.

If the lake is water holding body, the government authorities must remove the debris. Though the buildings have been demolished the concrete foundation will remain underneath. Measures should be taken to remove debris and help filtration and percolation of water, he added.

As per the former IAS officer Laxman Rau committee report if any lake has lost its natural characteristic of holding water then it should be given only for the purpose of tree park and not for any other development, he added.