Bangalore Lakes Information System (BLIS) for Sustainable Management of Lakes

Wetlands (lakes, tanks, ponds, etc.), transitional lands linking hydrologically the terrestrial ecosystem with aquatic ecosystems with biophysical interactions, are the most productive and diverse ecosystems and provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits for human well-being. These vital ecosystems sustain ecological processes to provide services such as nutrient cycling, water purification, reducing pollution, carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, provision of fish, fodder, fuel, and water, flood reduction, erosion control, aquatic biota habitats, education opportunities, aesthetics, and recreation. However, due to globalization, these fragile ecosystems are vulnerable to unplanned developmental activities and rapid urbanization, leading to large-scale land cover changes and hydrologic regimes. The sustained inflow of untreated wastewater (from the industrial and domestic sectors) into wetlands has altered the chemical integrity, which necessitates inventorying, mapping, and regular wetland monitoring to evolve conservation strategies. Integrating spatial and non-spatial data, analysis, and visualization with decision models through decision support systems enables informed decisions. In this context, the Bangalore Lake Information System (BLIS) is designed with information on water quality, biodiversity (microalgae, zooplankton, ichthyofauna, macrophytes, and birds), threats (encroachments, inflow of untreated sewage, etc.) and ecosystem services of lakes in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India. Rapid large-scale land use changes have resulted in an alteration in the hydrologic regime, the loss of habitats, and the disappearance of native species. BLIS empowers decision-making through knowledge of lake distribution in terms of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects and the value of ecosystem services, which is crucial for evolving strategies for prudent management of water bodies in Greater Bangalore.