Kukkarahally lake
Encyclopedia
Kukkarahalli Lake also called Kukkarhalli Kere (Lake is ‘’kere’’ in local Kannada language
), located in the heart of the Mysore city, adjoins the Manasgangotri (University of Mysore
), the Kalamandir (Rangyana) and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) campus (separated by the Hunsur
Road). It provides lung-space to the city. Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
, (1794 – 1868) of the Mysore Dynasty (Kingdom of Mysore
) was responsible for getting the lake created, in the year 1864, to provide water for irrigation
to about 4000 ha (10,000 acres) of land outside the city. The Lake also used to be a source of water supply to the city of Mysore but over the years, sewage and excessive land encroachments (mostly illegal) and blockage of water flow sources almost led to the eutropohication of the lake. The University of Mysore and the citizen forums of Mysore continue to make efforts to preserve the lake by implementing several remedial measures.
, at a road distance of 160 km (99.4 mi).
loam
form the dominant geological condition of the Lake. On the northern side another temporary bund hold back the direct flow of waste water into the lake.
The highest flood level in the lake is 755.73 m (2,479.4 ft).
and nitrogen
content with abundance of plankton blooms, all of which have contributed to a high degree of eutrophication. The non potability of the water body is indicated by the high degree of faecal contamination with organisms that produce H2S that may include forms of Salmonella
, Proteus
, Citrobacter
and some strains of Klebsiella
..The distribution pattern of plank tonic forms, for the decade ending 2001, as per laboratory tests of lake’s water samples provides the values of parameters such as the Chlorococcales
, Desmids, Diatoms, Blue-greens and Euglenoids, as the biological indicators of water body, as given in table belowwhich testify to the lake’s eutrophication
status. The numbers indicate the microorganisms present in the sample per litre.
as a reliable means of removing metallic pollution by four heavy metals, specifically Chromium
, Nickel
, Lead
and Zinc
in lakes. The study involved analysis of 19 parameters viz., of Temperature, PH, Total Hardness (as CaCO3 ), Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5 ), Chemical Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Chloride
s, Alkalinity
(as CaCO3 ), Nitrates, Phosphates, Calcium
, Magnesium
, Chromium
, Nickel
, Lead
and Zinc
. The removal of heavy metals in the wastewater due to hyacinth is reported to be encouraging; concentration of the four heavy metals was found to be below detection limits. Significant removal of Biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD), Chemical oxygen demand
(COD), total suspended solids
(TSS), nitrates and phosphates were also noted with removal efficiency of BOD, COD and TSS values of 90 %, 70 % and 80 % respectively. As per analysis, it was reported that the root system of hyacinth absorbed 90% of the metal while 10 % was absorbed in the shoot system. As per the results, the report concludes that the usage of water hyacinth as a natural aquatic treatment system is encouraging. But this is contrary to the view held that hyacinths are harmful for lakes and should be removed. The scientists who have analysed this Lake’s condition are of the view that though the test results are interesting its application, probably on a carefully monitored scale, may be found useful.
The lake was once a big attraction to bird watchers. According to Naturalists, about 176 species of birds (a large number of them migratory birds, including birds from Siberia
) with 10,000 to 15,000 of them visited the lake during winter to roost. Organised bird watching expeditions around the lake used to be actively pursued by the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN) Association. In recent years, with the lake getting into a eutrophic state (though since restored), the number of birds visiting the lake has substantially decreased. Now, the number of birds visiting the lake has reduced to about 2,000. They are found to breed in the isolated bird island. The birds now found in the lake (some of the birds are pictured in the gallery) are Spot-billed Pelican
s, Little Cormorant
, Painted Stork
s, Openbill Stork
s, Eurasian Spoonbills, Black-crowned Night Heron
s and Oriental Darter
s. Birdlife International
has included Kukkarahalli Lake in the list of 38 important Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the State or Karnataka.
During the year 2003-2004, with grants of about US $ 0.2 million (Rs 91 lakhs) provided by the Asian Development Bank
, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (KUIDFC) in association with the University of Mysore
under whose jurisdiction the Lake falls and citizens groups, carried out the restoration works of the lake. In order to effectively reduce the external loading of pollutants and the intervention of wastes into the lake ecosystem
the measures implemented have covered the following with funds provided by the Asian Development Bank.
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
), located in the heart of the Mysore city, adjoins the Manasgangotri (University of Mysore
University of Mysore
The University of Mysore , is a public university in India. The University founded during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, and was conceptualized on the basis of a report on educational progress in the United States and Australia, submitted by Messrs Thomas Denham and...
), the Kalamandir (Rangyana) and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) campus (separated by the Hunsur
Hunsur
Hunsur is a taluk in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka.Its main claim to fame was that former Chief minister of Karnataka state Sri D. Devaraj Urs hailed from this constituency of Karnataka Legislative Assembly and famous film director Hunsur Krishnamurthy hailed from here. It...
Road). It provides lung-space to the city. Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was the ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore in India. Also known as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, he belonged to the Wodeyar dynasty and ruled his state for nearly seventy years, from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868. He is known for his contribution and patronage...
, (1794 – 1868) of the Mysore Dynasty (Kingdom of Mysore
Kingdom of Mysore
The Kingdom of Mysore was a kingdom of southern India, traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. The kingdom, which was ruled by the Wodeyar family, initially served as a vassal state of the Vijayanagara Empire...
) was responsible for getting the lake created, in the year 1864, to provide water for irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
to about 4000 ha (10,000 acres) of land outside the city. The Lake also used to be a source of water supply to the city of Mysore but over the years, sewage and excessive land encroachments (mostly illegal) and blockage of water flow sources almost led to the eutropohication of the lake. The University of Mysore and the citizen forums of Mysore continue to make efforts to preserve the lake by implementing several remedial measures.
Access
The lake is located within the Mysore city limits. The Mysore City railway station is about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the Lake. The nearest airport is at BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, at a road distance of 160 km (99.4 mi).
Hydrology
The Lake drains a catchment area of more than 414 square kilometres (159.8 sq mi) and the water body spreads over 62 hectares (153.2 acre). Dewan Poornaiah feeder canal, 27 km (16.8 mi) long, which passes through Hinkal, Bogadi, Kudremala and Manasagangotri outfalls into the Lake.. The Lake is ‘J’ shaped. The maximum depth of lake is reported to be 5 m (16.4 ft). The east-west bund holds water on one side. Sandy loam to clayClay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
loam
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration . Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils...
form the dominant geological condition of the Lake. On the northern side another temporary bund hold back the direct flow of waste water into the lake.
Water quality
A detailed study of the physico-chemical and bio-chemical parameters of the lake waters carried out in the period 1981-2001 confirmed the deteriorating status of the lake necessitating action for restoration. There was a high percentage of chemicals but low percentage of total plankton (43%). The activity of chemicals lead to the liberation of extra quantity of cellular products which increased to 53.19%. Lake indicated high productivity of bio-chemical products; with death and decay of algal blooms adding to the biochemical concentration. The lake waters showed high electrolytes, low dissolved oxygen, high phosphatePhosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
and nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
content with abundance of plankton blooms, all of which have contributed to a high degree of eutrophication. The non potability of the water body is indicated by the high degree of faecal contamination with organisms that produce H2S that may include forms of Salmonella
Salmonella
Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, predominantly motile enterobacteria with diameters around 0.7 to 1.5 µm, lengths from 2 to 5 µm, and flagella which grade in all directions . They are chemoorganotrophs, obtaining their energy from oxidation and reduction...
, Proteus
Proteus
In Greek mythology, Proteus is an early sea-god, one of several deities whom Homer calls the "Old Man of the Sea", whose name suggests the "first" , as protogonos is the "primordial" or the "firstborn". He became the son of Poseidon in the Olympian theogony In Greek mythology, Proteus (Πρωτεύς)...
, Citrobacter
Citrobacter
Citrobacter is a genus of Gram-negative coliform bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family.The species C. amalonaticus, C. koseri, and C. freundii use solely citrate as a carbon source...
and some strains of Klebsiella
Klebsiella
Klebsiella is a genus of non-motile, Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, rod-shaped bacteria with a prominent polysaccharide-based capsule. It is named after the German microbiologist Edwin Klebs...
..The distribution pattern of plank tonic forms, for the decade ending 2001, as per laboratory tests of lake’s water samples provides the values of parameters such as the Chlorococcales
Chlorococcales
Chlorococcales is an order of green algae in the class Chlorophyceae. Individual specimens are sometimes found in soil, but mostly in fresh and marine waters...
, Desmids, Diatoms, Blue-greens and Euglenoids, as the biological indicators of water body, as given in table belowwhich testify to the lake’s eutrophication
Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
status. The numbers indicate the microorganisms present in the sample per litre.
| Parameters | Kukkarahalli Lake |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year / Group | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
| Chlorococcales | 353251 | 542210 | 438342 |
| Desmids | 150 | Nil | 7 |
| Diatoms | 5822 | 5132 | 6173 |
| Blue-greens | 24325 | 23420 | 20719 |
| Euglenoids | 8321 | 3251 | 6577 |
| Dinoflagellates | 210 | 622 | 174 |
Utility of algal biomass
Scientists have reported that exploitation of polluted waters which are rich in algal biomass for biotechnological products could be a feasible proposition and that the Phycobiliproteins from algae could be used as sensitive fluorescent dye, as immunochemical reagent and also as efficient fluorochromes in multiple colour analysis.Water Hyacinth for removal of metallic pollution in Lakes
Kukkarahalli Lake was chosen to test the efficacy of use of Water HyacinthWater hyacinth
The seven species of water hyacinth comprise the genus Eichhornia. Water hyacinth are a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in...
as a reliable means of removing metallic pollution by four heavy metals, specifically Chromium
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
, Nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
, Lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and Zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
in lakes. The study involved analysis of 19 parameters viz., of Temperature, PH, Total Hardness (as CaCO3 ), Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5 ), Chemical Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Chloride
Chloride
The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine, a halogen, picks up one electron to form an anion Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides. The chloride ion, and its salts such as sodium chloride, are very soluble in water...
s, Alkalinity
Alkalinity
Alkalinity or AT measures the ability of a solution to neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate. The alkalinity is equal to the stoichiometric sum of the bases in solution...
(as CaCO3 ), Nitrates, Phosphates, Calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
, Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
, Chromium
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
, Nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
, Lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and Zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
. The removal of heavy metals in the wastewater due to hyacinth is reported to be encouraging; concentration of the four heavy metals was found to be below detection limits. Significant removal of Biochemical oxygen demand
Biochemical oxygen demand
Biochemical oxygen demand or B.O.D. is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period. The term also refers to a chemical procedure for...
(BOD), Chemical oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand
In environmental chemistry, the chemical oxygen demand test is commonly used to indirectly measure the amount of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD determine the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water or wastewater, making COD a useful measure of water quality...
(COD), total suspended solids
Total suspended solids
Total suspended solids is a water quality measurement usually abbreviated TSS. It is listed as a conventional pollutant in the U.S. Clean Water Act. This parameter was at one time called non-filterable residue , a term that refers to the identical measurement: the dry-weight of particles trapped...
(TSS), nitrates and phosphates were also noted with removal efficiency of BOD, COD and TSS values of 90 %, 70 % and 80 % respectively. As per analysis, it was reported that the root system of hyacinth absorbed 90% of the metal while 10 % was absorbed in the shoot system. As per the results, the report concludes that the usage of water hyacinth as a natural aquatic treatment system is encouraging. But this is contrary to the view held that hyacinths are harmful for lakes and should be removed. The scientists who have analysed this Lake’s condition are of the view that though the test results are interesting its application, probably on a carefully monitored scale, may be found useful.
Bird watching
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
) with 10,000 to 15,000 of them visited the lake during winter to roost. Organised bird watching expeditions around the lake used to be actively pursued by the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN) Association. In recent years, with the lake getting into a eutrophic state (though since restored), the number of birds visiting the lake has substantially decreased. Now, the number of birds visiting the lake has reduced to about 2,000. They are found to breed in the isolated bird island. The birds now found in the lake (some of the birds are pictured in the gallery) are Spot-billed Pelican
Spot-billed Pelican
The Spot-billed Pelican or Grey Pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes...
s, Little Cormorant
Little Cormorant
The Little Cormorant is a member of the Cormorant family of seabirds: Aptly named, the Little Cormorant is small in comparison with other cormorants, only 55 cm in length with an average mass of 442.5 g...
, Painted Stork
Painted Stork
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters...
s, Openbill Stork
Openbill stork
The openbill storks or openbills are two species of stork in the genus Anastomus. They are large wading birds characterized by large bills, the mandibles of which do not meet except at the tip. This feature develops only in the adults. The two species of openbill storks are:*Asian Openbill The...
s, Eurasian Spoonbills, Black-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned Night Heron commonly abbreviated to just Night Heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia .-Description:Adults are...
s and Oriental Darter
Oriental Darter
The Oriental Darter or Indian Darter , sometimes called Snakebird, is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia.-Taxonomy:...
s. Birdlife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
has included Kukkarahalli Lake in the list of 38 important Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the State or Karnataka.
Lake restoration
Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (KUIDFC) in association with the University of Mysore
University of Mysore
The University of Mysore , is a public university in India. The University founded during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, and was conceptualized on the basis of a report on educational progress in the United States and Australia, submitted by Messrs Thomas Denham and...
under whose jurisdiction the Lake falls and citizens groups, carried out the restoration works of the lake. In order to effectively reduce the external loading of pollutants and the intervention of wastes into the lake ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
the measures implemented have covered the following with funds provided by the Asian Development Bank.
- Widening of the bund on the southern side,
- Forming a new walkway on the western side for the benefit large number of morning walkers who visit the lake,
- Shaded (bougainvilleaBougainvilleaBougainvillea is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina . Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus...
creepers) stone benches for visitors to sit, relax and enjoy the scenic serenity of the lake. - Improving the eastern and the northern pathway,
- Fencing of the lake perimeter
- The iron watch tower (within the lake) about 100 feet (30.5 m) from the shores has been restored
- Lighting arrangement along the southern bund.
- Adopting rainwater harvesting methods to improve the quality and quantity of water inflows
- Augmenting supply to the lake with fresh water inflow with filtered municipal back water wash
- Adopting aeration of water techniques: boating is one of the methods widely adopted houses - a boating center has been established
- Removal of algae by manual methods
- Engineering methods to clean the boundary conditions of the lake such as desilting and opening of the intake channel
- Ban on immersion of idols during festivals
- Banned dumping of medical waste in the lake
- Increased security system to restrict human influence
- Increased aquaculture
- Stakeholders participation for collective ownership and responsibility to restoration activities