The Hindu : Karnataka News : Ayyana Kere and Jagalur Kere to be revived at a cost of Rs. 13 crore

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Ayyana Kere and Jagalur Kere to be revived at a cost of Rs. 13 crore

H.S. Narasimha Kumar

Accumulation of sediment and filth has affected the groundwater quality

DAVANGERE: The Ayyana Kere in Harpanahalli and the Jagalur Kere in Jagalur in Davangere district will soon be taken up for rejuvenation at a cost of Rs. 13 crore.

The Davangere district administration has sent a proposal to the Lake Development Authority.

Lakes constitute an important component of fresh water resources. They serve as aquifers and regulate hydrological regimes, besides providing habitats and breeding grounds for a variety of birds, fish and other aquatic life.

Most of the lakes are getting degraded owing to urbanisation and industrialisation, encroachments, silt formation, discharge of domestic sewage, weed infestation, industrial effluents, surface run-off carrying pesticides and other chemicals used in agriculture.

The two lakes in Davangere are in bad shape containing sediment and silt. They are being maltreated and abused knowingly or unknowingly by the people living in the vicinity. Bathing and washing of clothes using detergents and soaps and other dirt removers have polluted the lakes.

The lakes, which were constructed many decades ago, have not been revitalised and pollution has had an adverse affect on their flora and fauna. Accumulation of sediment and filth in the lakes has affected the groundwater quality in the area.

An agency appointed to carry out a survey of the lake and make recommendations to rejuvenate the lake has suggested the removal of sediment from the lakebed and the construction of a wet land to help remove pollutants and recharge groundwater. It is also to act as a natural trap for silt and organic matter.

Apart from this, it is proposed to build a stormwater drain with silt traps and screen barriers which would prevent floating solids and waste from entering the lakes. It is proposed to construct wastewater diversion drains.

Landscaping and beautifying the lakes have been advocated in view of the tourism potential. Each lake is expected to generate Rs. 4 lakh revenue per year.

The rejuvenation of the lakes would go a long way in recharging groundwater in both Harpanahalli and Jagalur towns which are situated in semi-arid zone.

Fact file

Ayyana Kere has an area of 27.43 hectares. The water-spread is 25.43 hectares and the catchment area of is 12.28 sq km. Its capacity is 457.48 million litres of water and the lakh bund is 860 metres in length. It is proposed to remove accumulated silt/sludge to an extent of 2,59,538 cubic metres from within the lake area. With this, the holding capacity of the lake is expected to increase by 56 per cent.

The main water source of Harpanahalli town is borewells. There are 77 borewells of which 40 have hand pumps and 37 power pumps.

Jagalur Kere constructed in 1900 spreads over an area of 202.42 hectares. Its catchment area is 13.28 sq km. Stormwater from the four existing nullahs is a major source of inflow.

The capacity of the lake is 2024 million litres. The front slope and the rear slope have eroded and the bund is also damaged.

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