BENGALURU: The infamous froth, with toxic chemicals, that rises in Bengaluru lakes have now reached Kolar. The poison will return to our plates in the form of vegetables, which are largely sourced from our neighbouring districts. Kolar and Chikkaballapur supply most of the vegetables across the State, and more than half of it comes to Bengaluru. There are no rivers in Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts, and farmers mainly grow vegetables. Tomato and potatoes are the chief produce and it is supplied across the country. Other vegetables grown here include carrot, beetroot, beans, brinjal, sweetcorn, cabbage, cauliflower and greens. According to Horticulture Scientist Dr S V Hittalamani, growers in these regions grow two to three varieties of vegetables in a year.
Groundwater levels here have dipped dangerously low but the soil is pure and good. Hittalamani said, “With KC Valley project taking the froth from Bengaluru lakes to those in Kolar and Chikkaballapur, harmful chemicals will enter the vegetable crops and the soil will also be polluted eventually,’’ he said.
Hittalamani said that since a large volume of water is supplied through this project, the yield in vegetables will definitely increase and they will be larger with better colour and texture. “But vegetables will not be as healthy as they look,” he said. “They will contain harmful chemicals. This is karma. Bengalureans will end up consuming this crop.”
Official sources from the Horticulture Department said that Hopcoms outlets mostly retail vegetables grown in these two districts. “These vegetables will not perish in a day or two, but only because they contain harmful chemicals,” said an official, on condition of anonymity. “These chemicals will remain in vegetables even after we cook. We cannot ban these vegetables and they will find their way to Hopcom outlets. All we can do is request Bengalureans not to pollute water bodies.”
Water experts said that chemicals, which cause the frothing, cannot be ‘treated’ out. “Alkyl benzene sulfonate and phosphate used in soaps, shampoos, hand wash, shaving cream, and detergent soaps and powders are why there is froth rising in the lakes. Our Sewage Treatment Plants are not designed to remove these chemicals. The best way is to ban the use of these chemicals like many western countries have done 50 years back... we are yet to bring such a ban,’’ said former irrigation secretary and water expert Captain Raja Rao. Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a water activist said, “Developing wetlands near tank area could absorb many affluents and less-polluted water can be let into lakes.”
BWSSB bats for bunds
With water in Lakshmisagar Lake in Kolar district turning frothy, BWSSB on Thursday suggested Minor irrigation department to build bunds. BWSSB in a press release stated that the treated water after adhering to the standards fixed by KSPCB is released after mixing it with chlorine. The treated water with chlorine is pumped into the lakes in Kolar, located 52 kms away by the Minor Irrigation department (MID). BWSSB suspects that following heavy rains, the water in lake along with treated water flowed back to jackwell creating froth. “Thus we have advised MID to build bunds to prevent reverse flow of water,’’ the press release stated.