Water for Bengaluru: Chaos in the urban sprawl

The term development means evolution and growth but Bangalore hasn’t adopted the term development but understood the meaning as just growth which has caused the city to grow rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner. The development taking place in Bengaluru is unplanned and chaotic. Bengaluru was once branded as the air conditioned city, due to its salubrious climate and with the summer temperature not rising above 14 - 16°C. However, the city lost its sheen with the mis-adventure of opting unscientific developmental path in a haste to transform the region. Rapid, unplanned and unprecedented growth, in the name of urbanization, has posed serious challenges to the citizens with excess of social, economic and ecological issues such as changes in behavior, variation in income levels, micro-climatic changes, enhanced greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, depletion of groundwater resources, traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, poor public & basic amenities and the like.

According to studies carried out in and around Bengaluru, large scale unrealistic land cover changes with the strident increase of paved surfaces (concrete area, etc.) with the sharp decline in vegetation (almost 75%) and  water-bodies (65%) during 1973 to 2016. The climate of Bengaluru and rapid unplanned urbanization of the city led to the influx of huge numbers of multi–national companies which transformed it to the Silicon Valley of the country. This further led to uncontrolled migration of people and communities from all over the country. Bengaluru’s population is rising rapidly; according to census in 2016-17 the population was 1.15 crores which now has reached 1.23 crores in 2018. Whereas, the carrying capacity of the city is about 40 Lacs at the most. This population explosion has created greater dependency on more intensive natural resources extraction and further exploitation. 

Bengaluru is Green House Gas rich, water scarce, non-resilient and unlivable, depriving dwellers of clean air, water and environment. The simulation of likely land uses during 2020 raises alarm as almost 95% of Bengaluru landscape will be filled with paved surfaces, depriving us off clean air, water and overall and ecology. 

According to ecological scientists and researchers, the city witnessed large scale unhealthy land cover transition with the fragmented uncoordinated governance by the numerous para-state agency, leading to take over of the city by land, water and waste mafia. Leading to the serious environmental degradation with a plethora of challenges such as climate change, enhanced greenhouse gases emissions, lack of appropriate infrastructure, traffic congestion, and lack of basic amenities (electricity, water, and sanitation) in many localities, etc.

Bengaluru depends on groundwater resources to an extent of more than 45%. Declining water table in intensely urbanized area such as Whitefield, Nelamangala, Yelahanka, etc. over a period of 20 years with the decline in wetlands and green cover has created severe urban ecological imbalance. An increase of 2.0 to 2.5ºC during the last decade highlights implication of urban growth on local climate, necessitating appropriate strategies for sustainable management of natural resources and urban ecosystems.

Frequent occurrence of large-scale fish mortality, frothing and fire in lakes only reminds us of the inefficient management of water and water resources. Emissions from transport is about 44.57% (Greater Bengaluru) on account of large scale usage of private vehicles and mobility related to job accounts to 60% of total emissions due to lack of appropriate public transport system and haphazard growth with unplanned urbanization. Lack of integrated land use and mobility planning, majority commute longer distances, thus contributing to greater carbon emissions. Higher fuel consumption, enhanced pollution levels due to the increase of private vehicles, traffic bottlenecks have also contributed to huge amounts of carbon emissions over the last two decades.

In addition, mismanagement of solid and liquid wastes has aggravated the situation. Dumping of solid and liquid waste has increased anaerobic condition leading to even higher emissions of greenhouse gases (methane, CO2, etc.). 

Unplanned cities, thus not only contribute to global climate change by emitting majority of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, but also are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather situations. This emphasizes the need for sustainable modules for urban development through technological and scientific innovations, while addressing social, economic, ecological, technical, behavioral and political challenges to create cities that are low-carbon, resilient, and livable. Indian cities, while exhibiting technological innovations and connectedness, should also focus on increased healthy living comfort of every citizen through adequate infrastructure and essential basic amenities.

Akshay Heblikar 
Bengaluru environmentalist and director of Eco Watch