Unfold throughout 5 acre within the R R Nagar zone, the Lingadheeranahalli lake is taken into account to be a pristine water physique. Nevertheless, in March this yr, native residents noticed untreated sewage water coming into the lake by way of the storm water drains (SWD) linked to it.
In July, the civic physique, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), included the lake within the checklist of water our bodies to be restored beneath the state authorities’s Amrutha Nagarothana Scheme. Beneath this scheme, Rs 6.6 crore was reserved for the restoration of the lake out of which Rs 2 crore was for desilting and diversion of sewage from the lake. Nevertheless, the restoration work is but to start and officers mentioned it might be taken up subsequent yr.
The lake is sorted by native volunteers with 25 members led by Shridhar Hegde, a resident of the realm, and supported by the Banashankari sixth stage Resident Welfare Affiliation and ward quantity 35, Lake Warriors, a volunteer group.
Hegde mentioned, “I noticed sewage coming into the lake in March this yr. Sewage needs to be stopped from coming into the storm water drains connecting the lake. BWSSB, BDA (Bangalore Improvement Authority) and BBMP ought to work collectively to make sure that the underground drainage (UGD) pipes aren’t linked to those drains. The lake needs to be fenced in order that actions like dumping of rubbish, particles might be stopped. Although a safety guard has been appointed, he by no means turns up.”
In July, the civic physique, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), included the lake within the checklist of water our bodies to be restored beneath the state authorities’s Amrutha Nagarothana Scheme. (Specific/Jithendra M)
“Waste assortment isn’t carried out by the BBMP from Nagegowdanpalya and some areas close to the lake as they fall beneath the gram panchayat limits and this has resulted in elevated dumping of rubbish close to the lake,” he added.
Nataraj, vice-president of Banashankari VI stage Resident Welfare Affiliation, mentioned, “On October 7, we met the chairman of the Karnataka State Air pollution Management Board (KSPCB) and apprised him of the concern of fish kill and aquatic birds as a result of entry of sewage within the lake. A grievance was additionally lodged with KSPCB on this regard. The problem right here is that the BWSSB (Bangalore Water Provide and Sewerage Board) has allowed the sewage to enter the storm water drains. The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Improvement Authority (KTCDA) clearly states that the custody of the lake is with the BBMP and that the civic physique has a accountability as a custodian of the lake and subsequently it ought to shield the lake by creating diversion channels for sewage. Zero waste water coming into the lake needs to be a precedence for the chief engineer (wastewater administration) of BWSSB and Chief Engineer (lakes), BBMP.”
Nataraj additionally highlighted that the native residents have performed a serious function in apprising the federal government authorities concerning the air pollution of the lake.
Restoration work of the lake is but to start and officers mentioned it might be taken up subsequent yr. (Specific/Jithendra M)
“Native residents’ function in defending the lake consists of apprising the varied authorities our bodies concerning the scenario, in alerting and highlighting the problems referring to air pollution of the waterbody, testing of water high quality of the lake, issues referring to entry of sewage water into the lakes, beefing up of safety across the lake to cease dumping of waste-plastic, development particles, unlawful actions and pursuing officers for discipline visits,” he mentioned.
Nataraj mentioned that the most important issues regarding the lake are the entry of untreated sewage water into the lake from close by villages and unlawful dumping of waste and development particles. “There may be an instantaneous have to divert the uncooked sewage away from the lake adopted by desilting operations with out affecting the wildlife of the lake. The lake was vibrant and a hotspot for aquatic birds. A couple of months in the past, 48 fowl species had been noticed. The rejuvenation ought to begin and needs to be full earlier than the monsoon begins,” he mentioned.
“As a normal guideline for the rejuvenation of lakes, the funds elevating and tender course of have to be over earlier than the onset of monsoon and government motion ought to start solely after the monsoon withdraws in order that the advantages of monsoon might be reaped. Aside from this, upkeep of the lakes by a contractor needs to be insisted for not less than three years for any restore or harm associated issues of a water physique,” Nataraj mentioned.