Bengaluru water crisis: Is the southern metropolis heading towards Day Zero?

Subject: Geography

Section: Oceanography

Context:

Bengaluru, India’s third-most populous city, faces its most severe potable water crisis in its nearly 500-year history. Over 30 localities are receiving water on a rotational basis every other day, risking reaching a ‘Day Zero’ scenario akin to Cape Town in 2018.
Day Zero: The day when the municipal water supply for this major city was estimated to run out.

Causes of water crisis:

The crisis is attributed to the destruction of water bodies and wetlands due to real estate expansion since 1990, mirroring Cape Town’s experience.
Bengaluru now relies on distant river water, compromised by recurring droughts.
A 2016 International Lake Conference predicted this scenario, citing government policies over the past 30 years that favored urban development over environmental preservation.
Impact of Urbanisation:
- A study by the Indian Institute of Science highlights the negative effects of unplanned urbanisation on Bangalore’s ecology, hydrology, and environment. It points to increased pollution, water scarcity, and mismanagement of waste due to rapid urban expansion.
Deterioration of Lakes:
- Bengaluru’s 262 lakes in 1961 have dwindled to 81, mainly due to real estate developments.
- Only 33 of these lakes remain functional, protected by their location in non-reclaimable zones.Pollution has significantly reduced the quality and sustainability of these water sources.

Government and Community Response:

The Karnataka government has advised focusing on areas with contaminated wells and directed Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to protect water bodies by removing encroachments and penalising waste dumping. Meanwhile, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have implemented water rationing, banned non-essential water usage, and are exploring alternative conservation methods, such as using disposable cutlery and wet wipes to reduce water consumption.

Lake in news:

Several species of birds are being sighted at Doddakallasandra Lake in South Bangaluru.

Details:

The lake became a temporary habitat for several bird species including painted storks, black-headed ibis, little egrets, sandpipers, black-winged stilts, cormorants, grey-headed swamphens, peacocks, and glossy ibises.
Many of these birds, characterized by their long legs and bills, depend on wetlands for foraging.
Painted storks, listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List, were among the notable visitors with their distinctive pink flight feathers. Purple swamphens were also seen engaging in playful chases.

Source: DTE