Various civic agencies have identified encroachments on 121 lakes in
the city. Heads of the agencies submitted a report to Upa Lokayukta
Justice Subhash B Adi and agreed to clear the encroachments, totalling
315 acres, and rehabilitate slum dwellers in three months.

“The
BBMP said it has cleared encroachments of 85 acres on several lakes. It
is also developing 55 lakes, of which, 29 lakes are free from
encroachments. The Kowdenahalli lake has the highest extent of
encroachment of 34 acres,’’ Justice Adi said.

Justice Adi said the
authorities have agreed to shift the families to a temporary
accommodation and later to a permanent place allotted by the Slum
Clearance Board.

The Upa Lokayukta had visited few lakes last
month to check the status and had instructed the BDA and the BBMP
commissioners to develop lakes and also set up Sewage Treatment Plants
(STP) wherever feasible.

“The BDA is developing nine lakes. The
BWSSB has also agreed to set up STPs wherever feasible and treated water
will be discharged to the lakes. In some areas, treated water will also
be supplied for commercial and industrial purposes. Sarakki and Iblur
are the two lakes where STPs will be set up soon,’’ Adi said.