Bengaluru Lakes’ Buffer Zones Under Threat

A recent geospatial analysis conducted by researchers from the University of Kassel, Germany, reveals a significant increase in built-up areas within the buffer zones of various urban, peri-urban, and rural lakes in Bengaluru.

The study highlights a concerning trend of urbanisation encroaching on these vital ecological buffers. The research focused on a 300-metre buffer around six lakes in and around Bengaluru, demonstrating that the built-up area in some of these buffer zones has surged to 60% between 2002 and 2022. The steepest rise was observed in peri-urban lakes, with Attur Lake experiencing an exponential increase in built-up areas—from 2% in 2004 to 38% in 2021. This rapid urbanisation is attributed to the lake’s strategic location, with accessible rail and metro lines and proximity to major road networks like Doddaballapur and Bellary Road, which connect to Kempegowda International Airport. This finding aligns with earlier reports indicating Bengaluru’s polycentric growth pattern, with the fastest development occurring in peripheral areas.

Puttenahalli, another peri-urban lake, recorded a consistent increase of about 5% in built-up areas during each surveyed interval. The buffer zone around Puttenahalli includes commercial buildings, residential layouts, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) depot, and a Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) power station, contributing to the steady growth in urbanisation.

Among the urban lakes, Dodda Bommasandra showed the highest share of built-up areas within the buffer zone. In 2004, built-up structures covered 47% of the buffer area, escalating to 60% by 2014, with little change since then. Bellandur Lake also saw an increase in built-up areas from 13% in 2005 to 23% in 2013, before a slight decrease to 15% in 2020. In rural areas, Vrishabhavathi Lake witnessed a sharp rise in built-up areas from 6.5% to 16.0% between 2015 and 2019, driven by the development of engineering colleges and residential layouts. In contrast, Chudahalli Lake’s buffer zone remained constant throughout the study period.

The study underscores the pressing need for stringent urban planning and regulatory measures to protect the buffer zones around Bengaluru’s lakes. These zones are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and preventing the adverse impacts of unchecked urbanisation. As Bengaluru continues to expand, sustainable development practices must be prioritised to safeguard these vital water bodies and their surrounding environments.