Coalition flags concerns over lake works undertaken with World Bank funds

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The World Bank is funding Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme (KWSRP), aimed at flood mitigation and building climate resilience in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Federation of Bengaluru Lakes (FBL), a coalition of lake communities in Bengaluru, has written to the World Bank Group, raising concern over what they termed “a material disconnect between the stated results framework and current implementation practice” in the works pertaining to lakes and Storm Water Drains (SWD) in Bengaluru, it is funding. The Hindu has a copy of the letter dated May 31.

The World Bank is funding Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme (KWSRP), aimed at flood mitigation and building climate resilience in Bengaluru. While the World Bank is funding around ₹3,500 crore, the State government is contributing around ₹1,500 crore. Reinforcement of the SWDs, lake bunds, installation of sluice gates, etc., are being taken up under the project.

“Our field monitoring, photographic evidence, and hydrological surveys, which can be made available for independent review, indicate that several current design decisions may be inconsistent with the programme’s stated objectives and with the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017,” the FBL stated in the letter, dated May 31.

It flags three concerns: concrete-heavy engineering, hydrological discontinuity and buffer zone encroachment.

The FBL stated while the World Bank’s technical assessment prioritises nature-based solutions, current contracts for at least 12 lakes reportedly require concrete lining of bunds and inlets. “This approach may reduce groundwater recharge, damage riparian habitat, and create lasting ecological harm,” the FBL said.

Further, the FBL flagged that it had observed construction activity in the regulated buffer zones of at least five lakes, including areas that function as breeding habitats for migratory bird species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. “Th