<p>The BBMP earlier this week sought approval from the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) to “develop” Hosakerehalli lake, after nearly destroying the waterbody by dumping truckloads of soil.</p>.<p>The move has put the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in a spot as it did not follow due process before undertaking improvement works in and around the lake.</p>.<p>The civic body needs KTCDA’s prior approval for lake development. This requires a review of the BBMP’s Detailed Project Report by the authority, a measure introduced due to local bodies’ neglect of the vital role lakes play in recharging groundwater, instead treating them as tourist attractions.</p>.<p>The BBMP’s latest plan, valued at Rs 14 crore, reveals that the civic body intends to desilt the lake, build a walking path, clear encroachments, and fence the boundary. It also wants to complete work to build a retaining wall.</p>.<p>The KTCDA is likely to knock off some of the proposals since they may fall outside the scope of improving the waterbody.</p>.<p>Last month, <span class="italic">DH</span> carried two reports describing how the BBMP was dumping truckloads of soil in Hosakerehalli lake that would reduce its water-holding capacity.</p>.<p>Residents reported on Wednesday that the BBMP had employed earthmovers to extract soil from the lake; however, they expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work. They were also concerned that the soil was pushed to the edges causing it to spill back into the water.</p>.<p>V Ramprasad, convener of Friends of Lakes, said desilting lakes is an inadequate measure unless the BBMP simultaneously tackles the problem of sewage discharge into these waterbodies.</p>
<p>The BBMP earlier this week sought approval from the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) to “develop” Hosakerehalli lake, after nearly destroying the waterbody by dumping truckloads of soil.</p>.<p>The move has put the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in a spot as it did not follow due process before undertaking improvement works in and around the lake.</p>.<p>The civic body needs KTCDA’s prior approval for lake development. This requires a review of the BBMP’s Detailed Project Report by the authority, a measure introduced due to local bodies’ neglect of the vital role lakes play in recharging groundwater, instead treating them as tourist attractions.</p>.<p>The BBMP’s latest plan, valued at Rs 14 crore, reveals that the civic body intends to desilt the lake, build a walking path, clear encroachments, and fence the boundary. It also wants to complete work to build a retaining wall.</p>.<p>The KTCDA is likely to knock off some of the proposals since they may fall outside the scope of improving the waterbody.</p>.<p>Last month, <span class="italic">DH</span> carried two reports describing how the BBMP was dumping truckloads of soil in Hosakerehalli lake that would reduce its water-holding capacity.</p>.<p>Residents reported on Wednesday that the BBMP had employed earthmovers to extract soil from the lake; however, they expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work. They were also concerned that the soil was pushed to the edges causing it to spill back into the water.</p>.<p>V Ramprasad, convener of Friends of Lakes, said desilting lakes is an inadequate measure unless the BBMP simultaneously tackles the problem of sewage discharge into these waterbodies.</p>