Lakes are an inherent part of the ecosystem. Lakes have traditionally served the function of meeting water requirements of the populace for drinking, household uses like washing, for agriculture, fishing and also for religious and cultural purposes. Apart from these functions, which involve direct use of the lake water, lakes are also known to recharge ground water, channelize water flow to prevent water logging and flooding. Lakes are also host to a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially birds.
Jala Samvardhane Yojana Sangha (JSYS), Govt. of Karnataka, Bangalore
Many lakes and ponds of Karnataka have been lost in the process of various anthropogenic activities and population pressures leading to unplanned urbanization and expansion. Rest of the surviving lakes are reduced to cesspools due to direct discharge of industrial effluents and unregulated dumping of solid wastes.
Government of Karnataka intends to develop and conserve the lakes in Karnataka. There are 36,000 lakes in Karnataka. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department owns 33,000 small lakes, and the rest are under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department. The Government of Karnataka intends to explore the possibility to work in close partnership with the private sector in protection, conservation and sustainable management of lakes.
0