Application of Environmental Management System to Tumkur Amanikere Lake Watershed, Karnataka, India

Key words: EMS, groundwater, pollutants, ISO, Sustainable Development, Watershed

1 Introduction

The surface and groundwater quality [6] has been deteriorating in many parts of the world. The aquifers (underground stores of water) which are major source of (more than 90% ) fresh water provide drinking water to the majority of people on this planet. Also, the groundwater replenishes our lakes, ponds, and wetlands that are vital to ecosystem. But this vital resource is not only getting depleted but also getting polluted chiefly from human activities that are pouring massive quantities of pollutants into our aquifers [3].

The chief sources of pollutants both of groundwater [2] and surface water like river, lakes and ponds are from:

1. Agriculture
2. Domestic wastes (Sewage system)
3. Industry
4. City development / Urbanization

Pollution of groundwater is observed especially near farms, factories and urban dwellings. The experts feel that water under the ground is more susceptible than the water above ground. Another aspect of water pollution is the fact that the pollutants in the aquifers accumulate and can remain there for long time [4].

The aim of Sustainable Development (SD) is to minimize resource depletion, social instability and environmental damage for the larger cause of society and its welfare. The companies, corporations and governments therefore, need to demonstrate their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that includes concern for environment. As a first step towards the goals for environmental concerns is to establish an Environmental Management System (EMS). EMS takes cognizance of nature, not infinitum but nature finitum. The nature has been providing sustenance and protection to living creatures including human, but the nature has need of protection from human. It is essential that relationship between natural resources and the activities of the community development must be recognized at every level.

Many people take clean water for granted and don’t realize the quality of water below the ground is directly linked to their activities above ground. The aim of Sustainable Development(SD) is to minimize resource depletion, social instability and environmental damage] for the larger cause of society and its welfare. The companies, corporations and governments therefore, need to demonstrate their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that includes concern for environment. The characteristic of Tumkur Amanikere Lake watershed is listed in table 1.

Developing EMS plan for implementing the international standard ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management System to Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed area, in order to improve the water quality status, water usage, fertilizer and insecticides application, pollution control and prevention etc. for effective and efficient management of watershed. The details of the implementation of the standard are the essence of this paper.

2 Significance of the Work

Water is a vital resource and it is not only getting depleted but also getting polluted chiefly from human activities that are pouring massive quantities of pollutants into our aquifers. The chief sources of pollutants both of groundwater and surface water like river, lakes and ponds are from:

1. Agriculture
2. Domestic wastes (Sewage system)
3. Industry
4. City development / Urbanization

The majority of amanikere lake residents rely on aquifers (deep reservoirs of groundwater) and drilled wells for their water supply [1]. The risk of contamination of groundwater depends on types of land management in the groundwater recharge area, well contamination, fertilizer application, poorly stored or spilled chemicals and paints and poorly maintained septic systems etc.

To protect the environment and improve its status, the International Standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization or corporation to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements (Pollution Control Board (PCB), Ministry Of Environment and Forest (MOEF) etc.) to which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not state itself specific environmental criteria.

This work attempts to develop EMS plan for implementing the international standard ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System to Tumkur  Amanikere lake watershed area, in order to improve the water quality status, water usage, fertilizer and insecticides application etc. for effective and efficient management of watershed. The digital map of Tumkur Amanikere Lake watershed is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1 · Digital Satellite Map of Tumkur Amanikere Lake Watershed

3 Environmental Management System (EMS)

It refers to system [8] for managing an organization’s or corporation’s or government’s or NGO’s environmental programmes in a formal comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. EMS is a formal system concerned with managing the aspects of corporation’s or governmental or company’s activities, products and services that have or could have an impact on the environment.

There is a worldwide movement today to systematize environmental management [7]. It has roots in the attempts by the industrialized world to come to grips in a management sense with the vexing environmental crises confronted by society over the last thirty years.

In the 90’s, voluntary systems for environmental management virtually exploded into view. The global economy had witnessed increasing reliance on global standards in a variety of key industries, including telecommunications, electronics, computers, information management, banking, shipping, airline operations, and maritime operations. The trend was reflected in the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where environmental representatives from 100 countries agreed on the elements of an Environmental Management System (EMS) and promulgated the ISO 14001 EMS Standard (as part of the ISO 14000 Series) in September 1996. Currently we are using ISO 14001:2004 standards for our application to Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed area.

The International Standard [8] ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any organization that wishes to:

• Establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system.
• Assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy.
• Demonstrate conformity with this International Standard by:
  • Making a self-determination and self-declaration, or
  • Seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or
  • Seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
  • Seeking certification / registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.

All the requirements in this International Standard are intended to be incorporated any environmental management system. The extent of the application depends on factors such as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of activities, products and services and the location where and the conditions in which functions.

The standard was intended to create tools and systems to improve corporate environmental performance and safeguard companies against negative impacts on trade and commerce. The standard does not prescribe substantive environmental performance requirements from an organization, but, rather, a set of sound environmental management procedures.

The standard had immediate implications for the global supply chain. Not a regulatory requirement, ISO 14001 instead is becoming an advanced form of economic incentive. Many companies see it in their economic self-interest to adopt a conforming EMS as a passport to the international marketplace.

The standard reflects a compilation of sound management processes that, together, may be constituted into a management framework or become an organizing principle for a variety of organizations, including those in the public sector. The premise of ISO 14001 is that, if an EMS is properly established and maintained, “continual improvement” in environmental performance will inevitably result and the system’s objectives and targets will be met.

This international standard [8] is based on the methodology known as Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). PDCA can be briefly described as follows:

Plan

Establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organization’s environmental policy.

Do

Implement the processes.

Check

Monitor and measure processes against environmental policy, objectives, targets, legal and other requirements, and report the results.

Act

Take actions to continually improve performance of the environmental management system.

Figure 2 · Environmental Management System Model for ISO 14001:2004

This work explores the application of EMS principles to the development and/or the protection of a watershed that can help both the farmers, public and private sectors to achieve their goals. More particularly, they include the efficient integration of water quantity and water quality, environmental as well as human health protection, industrial growth, and the systematic management of water and related land resources.

The following management principles are common to all EMSs:

• A policy that articulates a commitment to a specific level of environmental performance;
• Specific measurable quantity and quality objectives and performance targets;
• A planning process and strategy to meet the commitment;
• An organized institutional structure to execute the strategy;
• Implementation programs and support tools to meet objectives;
• Communications and training programs; and
• Measurement and review process to monitor progress.

Figure 3 presents an adaptation of the ISO 14001 management tools to a watershed setting. This adoption specially recognizes the institutional and programmatic dimensions of the watershed EMS[7], especially in the developing world. The institutional dimension, like the ISO standard, addresses the question of whether a set of institutional linkages and sp ecific procedures is in place to manage the watershed; and, if so, how effective they are as management tools; and, if not, what institutional linkages and procedures need to be created. The programmatic dimension, generally uncharacteristic of the ISO standard, assesses the adequacy of existing management or regulatory programs (or whether relevant programs exist at all); and, if they exist, how effective they are at delivering program goals; and, if they do not exist, what mix of programs needs to be created (borrowing from command, financial incentive, pricing, allocation of use and access, recharge, pollution prevention, information management, and other such programs). Since certification need not be a goal (unlike the application of the ISO standard to corporations), the standard’s features can be adapted, as shown below and in the examples that follow, to the needs and legal culture of the jurisdiction in question. If such jurisdiction contains a multiple-use watershed, care should be exercised to evaluate it’s multimedia impacts and whether it requires an integration of solutions.

Figure 3 · Overview of a Tumkur Amanikere lake Watershed EMS

4 Application of  EMS Principles to Watersheds

An environmental management system that starting with the identification of the environmental aspects of the Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed and of the legislative instructions and specifications, intends to eliminate and, where it is not possible, to minimize the possible environmental impacts. To plan to protect the rural characteristic of the Amanikere lake in a manner that minimizes their environmental impacts during city development, production, use and disposal of wastes. Finally, to improve the quality  status of the amanikere lake watershed.

Common problems in watershed management include a lack of: authority, enforcement, management know-how, funding, and incentives. An EMS approach offers distinct advantages over more traditional watershed planning and management approaches with power to deliver measurable, sustainable results in:

• striking a balance between regulatory and market driven incentives to change water use and polluting behavior;
• capturing value-added in the benefits stream and using cash flows to offer financial incentives linked to behavioral change; and
• decentralizing the management structure design, with consensus-based rules of participation and roles for government and private entities.

One approach to addressing watershed management problems is to implement a  pilot EMS structures aimed at different environmental problems.
This pilot EMS plan  will address at least the following critical problems in water resources management (known in ISO 14001 EMS parlance as “objectives and targets”):

• Increasing the efficiency of water use, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors;
• Improving the quality of wastewater in the municipal and industrial sectors to support reuse opportunities; and
• Attracting private-sector participation in water resources management.

The process of designing EMS pilot will engage all stakeholders within the watershed, which, in turn, helps ensure broad acceptance of problems to be solved, resulting resource management activities, potential changes in resource pricing, and new roles and responsibilities for management. Typically, a watershed level EMS results in decentralized institutional roles and local actions that cannot be achieved through centralized approaches. The EMS framework is designed to create economic incentives for agriculture, industry and local governments to participate in and execute management actions that cannot be achieved through more traditional regulatory means.

The pilot EMS might require the preparation of six products that would fit appropriately within the EMS organizing principles related to planning, support, and implementation strategies:

• Response Model - A simulation model of water resources/water quality responses to changes in management activities attributable to the EMS;
• Data Management Tools - Database and/or other data management tools to store, retrieve, and manipulate ambient environmental, water use, and discharge data, plus related data elements specific to the EMS and needed to track and report on environmental outcomes and progress;
• Financial Management Mechanisms - Systems, institutions, and/or processes that create or manage the flow of funds from and to stakeholders as conditions of participation in the EMS;
• Government Guidelines - A set of detailed instructions that specify exact roles and responsibilities for all central and local government entities that must execute portions of the EMS during the implementation phase;
• Industry Guidelines - A set of detailed instructions that specify exactly what private sector participants must do to execute relevant portions of the EMS during the implementation phase; and
• Memorandum of Understanding - A legal document signed by the cooperating national and local government entities that commits each to carry out its responsibilities as specified in the Government Guidelines.

EMSs have been implemented at many levels to solve a wide range of environmental management challenges. Single industrial locations have developed EMSs to manage their environmental performance in water, air, and solid waste. Cities have developed EMSs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their environmental programs or to engage multiple stakeholders in an equitable program of continuous environmental improvement. Regional EMSs have also been successfully applied within large industrial or trade zones.

The application of EMSs model to Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed is shown in Table 2. The amanikere lake watershed is a mulit-use watershed which caters to agriculture and drinking for farmers in the surrounding area. To manage the development and water pollution control of this unique multiple-use watershed whose uses were threatened by a lack of effective management, enforcement, and incentives. It is decided to design and implement a EMS plan / program that integrated technical, institutional, financial, incentive, legal, and data management elements. This was done through interview with farmers and municipal corporation and Major Irrigation departmental authorities. In the implementation phase, we have to train the farmers regarding application of fertilizers of right type and right quantity and initiating steps by the local bodies to prevent the entry of sewage water into amanikere lake through storm drains.  With this we can  see result in the first year of operation, there will be a dramatic decrease in eutrophication and other contamination, and it is the hope of upgrading the water quality classification of the amanikere lake in the future. This model is especially relevant for the management of a regional watershed.

4.1 EMS Policy:

“Protect and sustain the health of Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed through the combined efforts of residents and users of the amanikere lake and its watershed, and of concerned community partners in government and non-governmental organizations.”

4.2 Objectives and Targets:

Road widening along the shore line by dumping construction waste inside the Tumkur Amanikere Lake

Sanitary sewage overflow

Leaky drain pipe inside Tumkur Amanikere lake

The Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed community have identified the following objectives and targets  as priorities for action on Amanikere lake as a start off:

1. Water Quality: To protect, maintain and improve the water quality of the amanikere lake
2. Aquatic Vegetation: To manage excessive aquatic vegetation growth
3. Groundwater Quality and Quantity: To protect groundwater resources in the amanikere lake watershed
4. Water Levels: To preserve the amanikere lake natural water levels
5. Development Pressures and their Impacts on the Amanikere lake Watershed: To protect the amanikere lake watershed environment and ecosystem from the impacts of shoreline development and redevelopment
6. Fish and Other habitat Health: To protect the amanikere lake’s  terrestrial and aquatic habitats and ensure sustainable management of watershed resources
7. Shoreline Protection and Health: To restore and maintain a healthy ‘Ribbon of Life’ around the amanikere lake
8. Encroachment: To protect the amanikere lake watershed from the encroachment.
9. Water hyacinth: To remove water hyacinth.
10. Responsibility of Landowners in Protecting amanikere lake Health: To encourage and promote environmental awareness, responsibility, education and action
11. Large Scale Defecation: A large number of people use Amanikere Lake daily, to answer their call of nature. This has directly affected the water quality, apart from the resultant visual pollution and the foul smell that has emanated. To avoid defecation on the amanikere lake watershed area: by barricading or providing vigilant patrolling with Environmental Management circles.
12. Preventing the inflow of sewage: The municipal corporation has to prevent the inflow of sewage water into lake and repair the leaky underground drains which is passing along the shorelines of the lake.
13. Partnerships in Lake Management: To establish, maintain and expand upon effective partnerships in amanikere lake watershed management.

Format TA/EMSF/EMP/01 used for defining objectives and target programme is shown Appendix – II.

4.3 Planning:

The Amanikere Lake planning process has utilized a two pronged approach, using education as its primary focus. It is assumed most amanikere lake residents understand their responsibility and the role they play in protecting their amanikere lake, but may not be fully aware of how to be involved. Where education and action strategies alone may not meet objectives, the second approach supporting municipal regulations affecting the amanikere lake watershed area will be used.

Formats TA/EMSF/01 to TA/EMSF/04 used for Aspect and Impact study for the Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed area are shown in Appendix - I.

4.4 Implementation:

The EMS plans of Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed are to be implemented through a combination of regulations, public information and best management practices. The some of the most concerns and issues that have been identified / raised by the stake holders (Farmers, residents and property owners etc.) are: water quality, sewage water entering through storm drains,  eutrophication, growth of water hyacinth and encroachment of shorelines areas.  The following are some of the recommended points for the implementation of EMS for the effective and efficient management system.

4.4.1 Recommendations for Action Plan to Conserve Amanikere Lake

1. Preventing the inflow of sewage: There are two options to achieve this. The first is to have a common point where the sewage can be collected and treated at a plant. The treated water can then be let in to the tank. The second option is to direct all the sewage away from the tank into a treatment plant. Either way a large number of resultant problems like emanating of foul stench, breeding of pigs and their carrying of diseases, profusion of water hyacinth and others can be avoided.

2. Protecting the feeder streams: The protection of streams, which fed this tank, no matter how small or big they are, is extremely important in conserving the tank. The debris should be cleared of them, encroachments if any should be removed, the vegetation overgrowth should be removed and their banks should be strengthened.

3. Encroachments: Although encroachments pose a major problem, they should be tactfully handled. The first and the most important task is to prevent further encroachment into the tank. This can be done by fencing off the entire area. Trees can be grown along the boundary without destroying the existing vegetation (NOTE: Tree and shrub species suitable to the area are indicated in the suggested tree and shrub species checklist). These pre-emptive measures will avoid all the encroachment related problems which will obviously arise later.

   As for the existing encroachments, action should be taken depending on the nature of encroachments

   1. If there are residences and places of worship on the encroached lands, then their eviction is bound to create law and order problems. Hence they should be regularized only on the condition that their owners pay a fixed rate of fee. This fee should be balanced taking in view the existing market rates. The fund so collected can be exclusively utilized for the development of the tank. This will have a major effect on deterring further encroachments.

   2. If the encroachments are being used for commercial purposes including agriculture then they should be evicted according to the law. This way prime land belonging to the tank can be reclaimed and fore shore planting can be done on it.

4. Protecting the catchment area: Steps should be taken to protect the catchment area. Deforestation, over grazing particularly by the goats should be prevented.

5. Remove Brick kilns: The authorities should take serious measures to prevent brick manufacturers from setting up brick kilns on the tank bed.

6. Stop Dumping: The dumping of urban waste should cease immediately.
   This can be done by:

   1. Solid waste can be used for land filling like old and unused quarrying sites.
   2. Organic waste be segregated and can be converted into bio manure.
   3. The district administration and health authorities should take urgent steps to set up incinerators to safely dispose bio medical waste generated from the City’s hospitals and clinics.

7. Eradicating Water hyacinth: Since the presence of sewage encourages the growth of Water hyacinth. The diversion of sewage will make conditions unfavourable for this weed to profuse. Once the sewage inflow is prevented, the deweeding then will bear good results. After deweeding, aquatic plants such as Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea nouchali can be introduced to keep the tank hygenic.

8. Open Air defecation: The city municipal authorities should initiate steps to prevent public from using Amanikere lake as a toilet. Pay and use toilets can be constructed and can be maintained on the lines of organisations like Sulabh International.

9. Silt Removal: The Karnataka Government has recently embarked upon a massive desilting programme covering thousands of tanks through out the state. The Government should also include the Tumkur Amanikere lake in this programme.

10. Prevent poaching: Steps have to be taken by the forest department to strictly enforce Wildlife Protection Act. Cases if any booked against poachers, should be widely publicized so that poaching is prevented. Awareness to this effect has to be created by local wildlife NGOs.

11. Introducing Fish into the Amanikere lake: Fish can be introduced by the fisheries department to keep the tank healthy and provide employment to many people.

12. Ideal Centre for Nature and Environmental education: Facilities should be created to use the tank as a centre for educating common man to learn about environment particularly the wetlands. School children can be encouraged to study the tank as an ideal wetland ecosystem. Since hundreds of birds’ breed in the tank and hundreds more migrate into it- many from other countries, bird watching can be promoted as a creative hobby. Youth can be invited to nature conservation movement, thereby building a healthy society.

13. As a recreation centre: Infrastructure for recreational facilities should be created for the common man to avail. This will strongly involve the common man to conserve this tank.

    1. A jogging track should be created within the fenced area along the boundary of the tank.
    2. Structures for sitting should be created for the people to enjoy the serene climate.
    3. A small portion of the tank towards southwestern part can be used for boating. Care should be taken to see that this does not disturb the birds.
    4. All relevant measures should be taken to prevent plastic from polluting the area.

14. Formation of a Committee: A committee should be created to overlook the development of the amanikere lake watershed area and prevent it from threats. This committee should include elected representatives, representatives of district administration, forest department, Environmental NGOs, and prominent members of the public.

4.5 Monitoring and Review

EMS demands a mechanism for measuring performance and evaluation for which a process has to be evolved testing and verification. Such a process must be an ongoing process to identify environmental performance indicators that are verifiable. Also, for regular monitoring, the EMS plan must have a system / process and procedures for determining compliance and conformance with law and rules and regulations. For conformance to all the regulations a periodic audit of EMS should be conducted either by internal or external auditors who are trained and qualified for the auditing job.

The EMS plans also have a suitable review process thinking in terms of continual improvements of environmental management system. Reviews should go beyond the stage of compliance. It must pay full attention to implementation of objectives set out in the EMS plan. If the objectives have not been achieved or not achievable, these must be changed or modified.  Issues to be discussed in the process of review are:

• Suitability of environmental policy
• Recommendations of audit report
• Corrective and preventive actions for the Non-Conformances
• New regulations
• Interest of stake holders
• Public awareness and pressures

The following are the recommended monitoring, measuring and review process of EMS Plan:

4.5.1 Monitor

1. Monitor nutrient loading, bacterial contamination and water clarity:
   Measures of phosphorus, and nitrogen were to be higher indicating good   growing conditions for aquatic plants and algae.
2. Monitor and stop the use of excess fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Advise the farmers to use organic manure instead of chemical fertilizers.
3. Have your septic tank system inspected and regularly maintained to ensure proper working order, where UG drains not available.
4. Monitor aquatic vegetation in amanikere lake
5. Continue monitoring of water levels and maintain a concise database.
6. Take measures to see that at least 30% of a amanikere lake watershed should be covered with a representative diversity of forest plant types found in that region.
7. Continuously monitor the sewage water entry into the amanikere lake through storm drains, leakage of storm drains inside amanikere lake.
8. Monitoring/testing of amanikere lake in an organized manner and effective use of the data collected.
9. Monitor shorelines, streams and storm drains from encroachment.
10. Identify and manage inputs contributing to excessive aquatic growth.
11. Monitor water quality.
12. Monitor for other impediments to water flow.
13. Monitor the program to introduce invasive species.
14. Identify, evaluate and monitor the wetlands throughout the watershed and identify the ways to protect it. (Make green belt law).
15. Monitor/map aquatic vegetation and wetlands annually
16. Monitor the Aspect/Impact study of Amanikere lake watershed
17. Monitor corrective and preventive actions taken for the non-conformities observed.

4.5.2 Measures

1. Protect shoreline vegetation and limit removal – this vegetation acts as a buffer keeping nutrients from running off from upland area into the amanikere lake
2. Prevent groundwater contamination – educate landowners in the watershed area about protecting groundwater. Encourage groundwater studies within the amanikere lake watershed by tie up with universities and volunteer bodies.
3. Work with municipalities, health unit and PCB and MOEF to ensure there is an updated and maintained databases/inventory of all new and old wells in the amanikere lake watershed.
4. As the Tumkur city continues to grow, maintaining the health and rural character of the amanikere lake, while meeting the demands for development and urbanized landscaping of waterfront properties, is an ongoing challenge. Promoting sustainable future development within the amanikere lake watershed will protect the amanikere lake water quality and overall health.
5. Policies to address: setback distances of permitted activities and/or structures from natural heritage features, shoreline setback distances, percentage of lot cover, vegetation buffers with 30m setbacks, septic system setbacks, protection of wetlands etc.
6. Work with conservation partners and municipalities to identify and update information about the amanikere lake wetlands, fish and species at risk, loon nesting sites etc.
7. Recognize and consider native fish and aquatic wildlife habitat areas along the shorelines in development discussions with municipal and landowners.
8. Ensure that shoreline buffer areas, natural areas and wetlands are protected or enhanced during / following development. Also ensure all relevant conservation authority regulations are being applied to any shoreline development.
9. Educate all landowners in the watershed about development pressures and how they can be minimized
10. Protecting, maintaining and enhancing fish and wildlife health on the amanikere lake is an important objective. As an integral part of the overall health of the amanikere lake, maintaining healthy and natural habitat ecosystems on the amanikere lake will protect fish and wildlife population that depend on the habitat, water quality, natural beauty and recreational enjoyment of amanikere lake.
11. Work with appropriate agencies to create a specific, more comprehensive amanikere lake Fisheries Report to ensure there appropriate data and recommendation to ensure the sustainability of the amanikere lake Fishery.
12. Conduct aquatic species census surveys to determine presence / abundance within the watershed and monitor for changes over time.
13. Increase or rehabilitate fish and other habitat.
14. Educate landowners on importance of healthy fish and other habitat on economy, property values, recreation and human/social aspects.
15. Amanikere lake’s shoreline or Ribbon of life is the most biologically diverse area of the amanikere lake. It is the transitional land between the amanikere lake, streams or wetlands and the upland ecosystems. Shoreline provide essential habitat for waterfowl, fish, reptiles, frogs and insects to breed, find protection, move and feed. A healthy shoreline also helps to stabilize banks; filters contaminants from entering the amanikere lake, offers beautiful views and controls soil erosion. Protecting the shoreline, along with adjacent buffer zones and upland areas, is one of the most important steps in maintaining a healthy ecosystem of amanikere lake. Maintaining a healthy shoreline is important to protecting the overall water quality of amanikere lake watershed.
16. Encourage amanikere lake surrounding residents to plant native species along shorelines and upland corridors.
17. Arrange Tree planting program in the watershed area in association with forest department and local residents.
18. Educate the amanikere lake stake holders community about issues affecting the amanikere lake and their role as good stewards of the amanikere lake and the watershed.
19. Develop education programs and information on good stewardship practices for topics of concern identified by the stake holders community and distribute through various communication avenues brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, articles, signages, and face to face talks.

Remember the following statement of Margaret Mead:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

4.5.3 Review

The EMS plan is living document that will be revisited and revised overtime, adapting to new issues as they arise.

1. Conduct periodic reviews as per EMS Plan.
2. Review the EMS Plans once in 6 months and update.
3. Review the Amanikere lake protection issues in relation to current environmental standards, legislation and recommend environmental assessments before city development activities and review best practices in developmental operations.
4. Review the water quality and soil data of amanikere lake watershed on a regular basis.
5. Review the identified amanikere lake issues and offer recommendations and strategies for the amanikere lake management plan.
6. Review the feedback on draft recommendations for the amanikere lake management plan received form the community and community partners, the recommendations were revised and became the basis for the for the EMS plan.
7. Regular septic tank and storm drains review in area where under ground drainage system not available.
8. Extent to which objectives and targets have been met.
9. Status of corrective and preventive actions.
10. Changing circumstances, including developments in legal and other requirements related to its environmental aspects.
11. Recommendation for improvement
12. Review the effectiveness of corrective actions and preventive actions taken.

5 Conclusions

This work highlights the importance of EMS and its associated principles for developing and implementing the environmental management system for Tumkur Amanikere lake watershed to improve the current quality status of amanikere lake watershed. The EMS plan includes establishing policy, identifying objective and targets, planning, implementing and finally monitoring, measuring and reviewing. This EMS model if implemented to Tumkur Amanikere Lake, we can expect a better up-lift of amanikere lake watershed in all spheres of activities related to amanikere lake watershed area.

The EMS Plan is based on the recommendations and input gathered from community discussions, phone calls and informal discussions with amanikere lake watershed residents. The Plan includes; objectives and actions that address the major issues identified by the amanikere lake stake holders. Implementation of the actions will result in the protection of our amanikere lake watershed through education, stewardship action and land use regulation.

The recommended strategy for implementing the EMS plan and to make amanikere lake watershed:

• To have excellent water quality
• Quiet surrounding environment
• pollution free
• not over-developed
• weed problem under control
• encouraging growth of lots of birds and wildlife
• to keep relatively low volume of boat traffic
• to maintain healthy natural shoreline areas
•  outstanding bass fishing
• To put restrictions on shoreline development that threaten habitat and flora
• Creating recreational haven
• Beautiful scenery
• Regular septic system reviews where UG drains are not available
• Concerted efforts, strategies and approaches to maintain a safe and healthy ecosystem.

The following issues related to Tumkur amanikere lake watershed have been identified:

• Protecting Water quality
• Increased weed growth
• Water levels
• Need for effective regulations regarding shoreline development
• Need to maintain as much of natural shoreline as possible
• Role of municipal Corporation, NGOs and stake holders of amanikere lake watershed (Farmers, residents etc.)
• Adjoining road management
• Increased need/expectation for eco-friendly city development
• Boat use regulation
• Encroachment
• Large scale defecation
• Need for ongoing strong effective amanikere lake association to continue to situation as they arise.

The following is the recommended EMS action plan:

• Mandatory septic inspections where UG drains are not available.
• Regular inspection of storm drains connected to amanikere lake watershed.
• Regular inspection of UG drains which passes along the shoreline of amanikere lake (Road NH-4).
• Ensure water quality.
• Ensure long-term health of bass fishing.
• Investigate aquatic vegetation growth / management.
• Action on water levels.
• Build better working relationship with local politicians / political action.
• Shoreline management.
• Monitoring / testing of amanikere lake watershed in an organized manner and effective use of data collected.
• Plan to establish how the necessary resources are made available to deal with the most important issues

Appendix – I Formats for the Aspect and Impacts Study

Appendix – II Format for the Objectives and Target Study

References

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