Bangalore: This may be the only region in the south where close to 300 lakes "disappeared" before the government decided to act by forming a Lake Development Authority (LDA).

The LDA is getting ready to lease 11 lakes to private agencies, which will be allowed to develop the land on their shores for recreational purposes. In return, these private parties are obliged to maintain the lakes free of weeds and effluents. Work has already started at some of these lakes with the private partners putting up chain link fences on the bunds.

Three lakes, including Hebbal Lake, which was restored at the Government's expense, Venkayanakere on Airport Road and Nagavara Lake have so far been leased to private parties. The LDA feels this public-private partnership may be the only way to preserve the remaining lakes and tanks and save them from pollution and encroachment. The cost of rejuvenating decrepit lakes is enormous; the BMP had to spend close to Rs. 10 crore for putting back in shape Ulsoor Lake and Sankey Tank. At the latter, further works became necessary after it got flooded during last year's heavy rainfall.

The LDA may not permit "permanent structures" around the leased out lakes and their shores, but other activity including boating would be encouraged. . A major hotel chain is in the process of investing Rs. 16 crore on Hebbal Lake. The lease period for most lakes will be 10 to 15 years, subject to review and renewal.

The LDA faced opposition from environmental groups after the decision to allow private parties to develop lakes was made. Environmentalists point out to a Supreme Court directive that lands immediately surrounding a lake should not be commercialised. There may be one more hurdles in the form of fishermen's cooperatives, which have traditionally paid for fishing rights in these lakes. The fishermen say they bid at auctions conducted by the Fisheries Department, which is still vested with the fishing rights in all water bodies.

"Our access to fishing is now a big question," they say.

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