conservation & management of urban lakes - Centre for Ecological ...

CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENTOF URBAN LAKESDr. Ramachandra T.V.Urban Ecology, Environment & Policy ResearchCentre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and UrbanPlanning, Indian Institute of Science26 th Sept 09

Holistic and Integrated Approaches –Conservation and Management• Common Jurisdictional boundary for all para-statal agencies• To minimise the confusion of ownership – assign theownership of all natural resources to a single agency• Custodian shall manage natural resources - let that agencyhave autonomus status• Lake management should involve all stakeholders likepublic, local non-governmental agencies, etc.• Make every one environment literate (current environmentliteracy level is < 10%). Teach the concepts of ecosystemsand environment at all levels of education.

Maintain Catchment IntegrityTo ensure lakes are perennialAt least 33% land covershould be of NaturalVegetation

PHYSICAL INTEGRITYFree storm water drains of any encroachments

ESTABLISH INTERCONNECTIVITYTo minimise flooding in certain pockets

Floodplains, Valley zones – no activityregions

Remove - Encroachment of floodplain (noakarma and sakrama)

STOP RECLAMATION OF WETLAND

PENALIZE POLLUTERS:SOLID WASTE DUMPING

PENALIZE POLLUTERS –UNTREATED LIQUID WASTE(SEWAGE & EFFLUENTS)

STOP INTRODUCING EXOTIC SPECIESCyperusAlternantheraEichorniahaspansphiloxiroidescrassipes

MAPPING OF WATER-BODIES• The mapping of water bodies should also includesmaller wetlands, particularly hill streams,Myristica swamps of the Western Ghats, springsetc.• The neglect of these hydrological systems couldcause considerable impoverishment of water flowin the river systems as well as turn out to bethreats t to rare kinds of biodiversity.it

MAPPING AND INVENTORYING• The mapping of these smaller water-bodies, alongwith their catchments needs to be conductedinvolving also the local Biodiversity ManagementCommittees.• The jurisdictional agreements on the water usageand watershed protection need to be arrived at on acase to case basis involving all the stakeholders.

DOCUMENTATION OF BIODIVERSITY• The biodiversity of every water body should formpart of the Biodiversity Registers (BR).• The local Biodiversity Management Committees(BMC) should be given necessary financialsupport and scientific ifi assistance indocumentation of diversity.• The presence of endemic, rare, endangered ed orthreatened species and economically importantones should be highlighted.• A locally implementable conservation plan has tobe prepared for such species.

PREPARATION OF MANAGEMENT PLANSFOR INDIVIDUAL WATER BODIES• Most large water bodies have unique individualcharacteristics.• Therefore it is necessary to prepare separatemanagement plans for individual water bodies.

PREPARATION OF ESTUARY BASEDMANAGEMENT PLANS• Estuaries are ranked among the highestproductive ecosystems of the world.• These are dynamic ecosystems of highly variableenvironmental factors and therefore requirepreparation of management plans for individualestuary.

DEMARCATION OF THE BOUNDARY OFWATER BODIES• The existing regulations pertaining to boundarydemarcations within different states need to bereviewed according to updated norms and basedon geomorphology and other scientific aspectspertaining to individual water bodies.• Maximum Water Level mark should form theboundary line of the water body.

Various land uses of Sharavathi river basinhttp://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/orchid/i

Demarcation of the boundary of waterbodies• In addition, a specified width, based on historicalrecords/ d/ survey records etc. may be considereddfor marking a buffer zone around the water body.• In case such records are not available, the bufferzones may be marked afresh considering theflood plain level and also maximum water levels.• The width of the buffer zone should be setconsidering the geomorphology of the water body,the original legal boundaries, etc.• The buffer zone should be treated as inviolable inthe long term interests of the water body and itsbiodiversity.

MAPPING OF WATER BODIES• Spatial Extent of Water bodies• Spatial extent of its catchment (watershed/basin)• Land cover in the catchment• Demarcate Flood plains• Identify the natural areas in the catchment• Biodiversity inventory – capture entire food chain• Develop a comprehensive database (spatial with attributeinformation)• Identify and demarcate the region around the lake where allactivities iti are to be prohibited (Flood plain)• Demarcate buffer zone – with a list of regulated activities• Ensure at least 33% of land cover is covered with naturalvegetation (to ensure the lake perennial)

IMPLEMENTATION OF SANITATIONFACILITIES• To preserve the purity of waters and to safeguardthe biodiversity and productivity, dumping ofwaste has to be prohibited.• In addition to this, all the settlements alongsidethe water body should be provided withsanitation facilities so as not to impinge inanyway the pristine quality of water.

MANAGEMENT OF POLLUTED LAKES• Bioremediation method may be preferred fordetoxification of polluted water bodies.• The highly and irremediably polluted waterbodies may be fenced off to prevent fishing, cattlegrazing and washing, bathing and collection ofedible or medicinal plants to prevent healthhazards.• Warning boards should be displayed around suchwater bodies.• Collection of any biomaterials from such waterbodies should be prohibited.

VALUATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES• Goods and services provided by the individualwater bodies to be documented, evaluatedthrough participatory approach and be madepart of the People Biodiversity i Registers (PBR).• If in any case the traditional fishing rights of thelocal fishermen are adversely affected by lakeconservation or by declaring it as a birdsanctuary, etc they should be adequatelycompensated.

PROTECTION OF RIPARIAN ANDBUFFER ZONE VEGETATION• Any clearances of riparian vegetation (alongy p g ( gside rivers) and buffer zone vegetation(around lakes) have to be prohibited.

RESTORATION OF LINKAGES BETWEENWATER BODIES• The process of urbanization and neglect causeddisruption of linkages between water bodies suchas ancient lake systems of many cities.• Wherever such disruptions i have taken placealternative arrangements should be provided toestablish the lost linkages.

PROTECTION OF SACRED GROVE-WATERBODY SYSTEM• Ponds, lakes, springs, streams and riversassociated with the sacred groves were integralto the landscape management systems.• If these groves are recognized, ecologicallyllrestored and brought under appropriatemanagement mechanisms in collaboration withlocal communities, a fresh revival can happen ofthe water bodies associated with them.

RAINWATER HARVESTING• Intensive and comprehensiveimplementation ti of rain waterharvesting techniques canreduce taxation of waterbodies and also minimizeelectricity requirements.• The country needs inprinciple a holistic rainwaterharvesting policy aimed atdirecting water literally from“roof-tops to lakes” aftercatering to the domesticneeds.

CARRYING CAPACITY STUDIES FOR ALLMACRO CITIES• Unplanned concentrated urbanisation in manycities has telling impacts on local ecology andbiodiversity, evident from decline of waterbodies,vegetation, enhanced pollution levels (land, waterand air), traffic bottlenecks, lack of appropriateinfrastructure, etc.• Hence, it is necessary to carryout “carryingcapacity studies” before implementing any majorprojects in macro cities.

ENVIRONMENT EDUCATIONBrainstorming Session on Conservation &Management of Urban Lakes 26 th Sept 09URBAN LAKE MONITORING & MANAGEMENT(23 rd -25 th Sept 09)Lake series Symposiums (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004,2006, 2008 …)Winter school – Dec 2001Schools – EE programme

• Environmental education program should be moreproactive, field oriented and experiential (withreal time examples) for effective learning.• It should be made mandatory for teachers andteacher educators at the teachers' traininginstitutes (Tch, B Ed, D Ed)• Experts to be involved in the preparation ofresource material related to ecosystem studiesand the same to be disseminated to educationalinstitutions for monitoring surroundingecosystems through electronic or print form inlocal/bilingual language.• Implement solid waste management effectively ateducational institutions level towards zero waste.(2006 recommendation)

• Government agencies, academics, institutions and NGO'smust co-ordinate ordinate grass-root root level implementation of policiesand activities related to conservation of ecosystems (bothinland and coastal), their sustainable utilisation,restoration and development including human health.• Line agencies at the national level, like UGC, DST, DBT,MoEF, ICAR, CSIR, etc.; And at the state level, likeeducation, science and technology, forest, agriculture,irrigation, etc.; Be suggested to integrate their activitiesamong themselves seeking assistance from the educationalinstitutions i i and ngo’s. (2002 recommendation)• Traditional knowledge and practices have to be explored asremedial measures. Cost-intensive restoration measuresshould be the last resort after evaluating all the cost-effective measures of conservation and management ofecosystems. (2006 recommendation)

• Ecosystem approach in aquatic ecosystemrestoration ti endeavour considering i catchment t landuse plan as of pre-project project status and optimal landuse plan shall first be prepared for short term (10years and 30 years) and long term periods keepingin view developmental pressure over time span.• Aquatic ecosystems restoration works taken up byany agency govt. 10% of restoration costs (perannum) spent or set off for awareness building,research and monitoring compulsorily in futurethrough h education institutions , NGO’s, ... (2002recommendation)• Soil conservation measures based on designatedand actual land use plans, compatible to climate,topography, soil type and hydro-geology of thecatchment and impact of siltation on productivityof land and ecosystem values.

• Catchment areas of wetlands in general with lakesand riverine ecosystems in particular, to beprotected. Large scale land cover / land use changesshould be curtailed / minimized with immediateeffect.• Impact of pesticide or fertilisers on wetlands in thecatchment areas to be checked.• Regulate illegal sand and clay mining around thewetlands. (2006 recommendation)

Immediate steps to conserve endangered wetlandssuch as myristica swampsNational wetlands policy both at state and nationallevel to be formulated and enforced.Identify water bodies of biodiversity importance anddeclare them as wetland conservation reserves(WCR)Marine and coastal areas to be considered as fragileecosystems and hence should be comprehensivelyprotected from any industrial and power generationactivities(2006 recommendation)

• Lake management should involve all stakeholders likepublic, local non-governmental agencies, etc.• Management and maintenance of lakes to bedecentralised involving stakeholders, local bodies,institutions and community participation without anycommercialization or commoditization of lakes. (2006recommendation)

• At local level, lake management authority (LMA)having stakeholders-representatives representatives from central andstate and local body authorities, NGO’s and eminentpeople and experts shall be constituted with autonomycorpus funds from plan allocations of state and centerand responsibility and accountability for avoidingexcessive cost and time over runs.• Generous funds shall be made available for suchdevelopmental works through the national committee,as mentioned above. Local stakeholders be suggestedto generate modest funds for immediate developmentalneeds in the aquatic systems in their localities. (2002recommendation)

• All wetlands to be considered as commonproperty resources and hence custodians shouldcarefully deal with these ensuring security.• Urban wetlands, mostly lakes to be regulatedfrom any type of encroachments. (2006recommendation)

• Lake privatised recently to be taken over and handedover to locals immediately thus restoring thetraditional access to these lakes by the stakeholders.• Restore surviving i lakes in urban areas strengtheningth their catchment area and allowing sloping shorelinesfor fulfilling their ecological function.• Alteration of topography in lake / river catchmentsshould be banned. (2006 Recommendation)

• Provisions to be made for adoption of wetlands by the ngo's andself-help groups for their conservation, management,sustainable utilisation and restoration.• Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) be the nodal agency forcapacity building at all levels: formal and non-formal and govt.Officials. Students should be involved in participatorymanagement of the wetlands. Due impetus be given onequipping the institutions with qualified environmentalspecialists. Teachers of the local institutions shall be trained forin-turn capacity building in their own areas, in which, aquaticecosystems especially wetlands could serve as `fieldlaboratories'.• Public needs to be better informed about the rational, ,ggoal andmethods of ecosystem conservation and restoration. In addition,the need was realized for scientist and researchers with thebroad training needed for aquatic ecosystem restoration,management and conservation. (2006 recommendation)

• Public education and outreach should include allcomponents of ecosystem restoration. Lakeassociations and citizen monitoring groups haveproved helpful in educating the general public. Effortshould be made to ensure that such groups haveaccurate information about the causes of lakedegradation and various restoration methods.• Funding is needed for both undergraduate andgraduate programmes in ecosystem conservation andrestorations. Training programmes should crosstraditional disciplinary boundaries such as thosebetween basic and applied ecology: water qualitymanagement and fisheries or wildlife management:among lakes, streams, rivers, coastal and wetlandecology. (2006 recommendation)

• To be cost effective, lake quality classificationusing appropriate parameters and values assignedon the best designated use of lake or lake systemshall be prescribed as a policy guideline.• Aquatic sanctuaries be created and tanks ofreligious places be declared as heritage centers forin situ conservation.• Appropriate technologies for point and non-pointsources of pollution and in situ measures for lakesrestoration shall be compatible to local ethos andsite condition as well as objectives of aquaticecosystem restoration action plan (aerap).(2002recommendation)

• There is an urgent need for creating a `data bank’through inventorisation and mapping of theaquatic biota. This task be networked throughCentre for Ecological l Sciences (CES) incollaboration with the sister organisations.• All kinds of introduction of exotic species andquarantine measures be done in consultation withthe concerned authorities and the data bank.• It is suggested that, ecologically sound approachbe practiced in reservoir / dam construction,keeping in view, the consequences to be faced bythe rivers, wetlands, coastal areas, migratingaquatic biota and the beneficiaries. (2002recommendation)

• Beneficiary participation from planning tooperational stage be ensured including financiali contribution.• Appropriate cropping pattern, water harvesting,urban development, water usage, and wastegeneration data shall be utilized and projected fordesign period for arriving at preventive, curativeand maintenance of aquatic ecosystem restorationaction plan (AERAP).• A mechanism to disseminate information onwetlands, through publications be initiated. Printand electronic media be suggested to give widecoverage of environmental issues pertaining toaquatic ecosystem. Exposition of plans ofmaintenance and expansions be made mandatoryfor all industries. (2002 recommendation)

• Legislations be formulated at the earliest for efficient andsustainable management of aquatic ecosystems. Sustainableaquatic resources development and management depends mainlyon proper planning, implementation, operation and maintenance,which is possible with GIS and remote sensing techniques,complementing and supplementing ground data collection invarious facets of different kinds of water resource projects.Provisions should be made for easy access and transfer of accurateinformation to researchers working in the aquatic systemsincluding survey of India maps, GIS software and remote sensingdata.• It is recommended to maintain the sediment regime under whichthe aquatic ecosystems evolve including maintenance, conservationof spatial and temporal connectivity within and betweenwatersheds. eds. (2002 recommendation)e o )

• Intersectoral systems approach is suggested fordecision making regarding river basinmanagement and integrated catchments /watersheds development.• It is recommended for greater role andparticipation of women in management andsustainable utilisation of resources of aquaticecosystems.• Based on the concept of polluter pays, amechanism be evolved to set up efficient effluenttreatment t t plants [ETP], individual id or collective, toreduce the pollution load. Polluting industries belevied environmental cess, which can be utilisedfor conservative measures by the competentauthorities. A `waste audit’ must be madecompulsory for all the industries and otheragencies. (2002 recommendation)

• A project must be initiated to assess thepracticality of using the information availablefor increasing the oxygen content by aeratingraw sewage, which encourages proliferation ofphyto and zoo species (hygienic agents ofnature) and the eventual cleanup process. It isnecessary to see how these processes can beexpedited. The situation in Bangalore offersan ideal opportunity to try out the lineartreatment plants along the channels flowingout from the city.• Regularly monitored “ambient water qualitystations” need to be immediately establishedand run by responsive and responsible groupor agencies. es. (2002 recommendation)e o

• Energy intensive, high cost mechanized systems forpollution control shall be weighed based on costeffectiveness vis-à-vis viability of operation andmaintenance on a sustainable manner.• The project reports to be subject to public access andpublic hearings before approved by competentauthority.• The goals for restoration of aquatic ecosystems need tobe realistic and should be based on the concept ofexpected conditions for individual eco-regions.Further development of project selection andevaluation a technology ogy based on eco-region eg o definitionsand description should be encouraged and supportedby the national and state government agencies. (2002recommendation)

• Integrated t aquatic ecosystem managementneeds to be implemented to ensuresustainability, which requires proper p study,sound understanding and effectivemanagement of water systems and theirinternal relations.• The aquatic systems should be managed aspart of the broader environment and inrelation to socio-economic demands andpotentials, acknowledging the political andcultural context. (2002 Recommendation)

• A comprehensive action plan be chalked outimmediately for taking care of health, disease andquarantine aspects of the aquatic biota. The aspectsassume importance in view of the still persistingvirulent disease like epizootic ulcerative syndrome(EUS) among the freshwater fishes of India . Anational committee be formed to tackle such healthand disease problems among the aquatic biotawhich has been a concern to the society as a whole.The committee be entrusted to find ways and meansto control the epidemic.• Temporary ponds be identified and their diversityexplored to delineate their contribution to the society.• Introduction of exotic fishes into lakes to bepermitted only after clearance from fishery experts.(2000 recommendation)

• Declare Chilika lake, with its watershed, the nationalheritage site and strict implementation of time boundconservation and restoration measures. Integrated waterresource management of Chilika watershed and integratedcoastal management.• Interdisciplinary, intensive monitoring and modeling ofhydrological, meteorological, limnological and coastaloceanographic studies be taken by CDA.• Reconstitution of CDA involving i all stakeholders - locallpeople (who depend on the lake for their livelihood),academicians and researchers. Constitution of a task forceinvolving local people for regular monitoring.• Reduction of siltation: improvement in land cover in aphased manner with appropriate land use practices.Catchment treatment with the species locally preferred (orcould meet the food, fodder and fuel requirement of the locallpopulation as well as fauna).• Measures to protect coral reefs and other aquatic flora andfauna.(2004 recommendation)

• Pollution prevention (through an appropriate design ofsewage treatment plant up to tertiary level, l if possible).• Implementation of best engineered wetlands: prevention ofnon point source pollution.• Rehabilitation of the local population (with proper housing,drinking water, drainage and sanitation systems).• Ban on aquaculture (that t is unsustainable from theecosystem point of view).• The constitution of cooperative societies involving all localfishermen and ban on over harvesting of fish resources(restriction on the size of the net, number of licenses,immediate removal of non local fishermen withunsustainable harvesting practices). Removal of contractsystem (middle men) and sharing of resources equitably bylocal people. Constitution of local self help groups.• Prevention of oil spillage (motor boats, etc.). (2004recommendation)

• Conservation of forests and restoration of naturalforests (deforestation is the prime cause for decliningwater resources, etc.).• Stit Strict law enforcement to our waters for their thipreservation (life). (2004 Recommendation)

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