BENGALURU: Earlier this year, the residents near the Kalkere Lake were elated when the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) allocated funds and began working towards reviving the dying lake. The body had undertaken the project two years ago, after it was found that the lake was polluted with sewage. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been set up by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) that allow for approximately two litres of treated water being released into the lake located near Ramamurthy Nagar. However, there has been greenish discharge of water that has been noticed from one of the STPs located at the western side of the lake. The toxic discharge has also lead to the death of many fish in this lake.
“Time and again we have been pushing the authorities to close these areas but they are not bothered,” says a guardian of the lake. What is alarming and worrying is that, fishing activities continue to be carried out at this lake, “Who is going to be responsible if it leads to an outbreak of an epidemic? There are no health officials to monitor. What happens to all these things?,” asks the guardian who is also a resident of the area.When CE contacted the BBMP chief engineer of lakes, BV Satish, he said, “We have already sent notice to the BWSSB, they have to answer.”
Filth around the lake
The residents also complain of dumping activities at the vicinity of the lake. “A lot of rubble has been dumped around the periphery of the lake. We do not know who is responsible for this. But the BBMP is not paying heed to any of this,” says a resident of the area. On the other hand, the BBMP justifies the efforts being put in to restore the lake. BV Satish says, “There is no dumping activities because there are gates and home guards there.
About the litter, we should build awareness with community and work towards it.” The BBMP had started working on the revival of the lake earlier this year – they have built a fence around the lake, a walking path, and stones have been placed as embankments. However, residents allege that the lake has not been maintained and the water that flows in from the sewage is unchecked.
In a clean up drive that was carried out by the residents two months ago, they found syringes, medical waste and bottles.
The residents also claim that they are harassed by visitors who access the lake area. They claim people enter the walking track late in the evening and party near the lake. They also allege that they have been victims of harassment by men who come out in the evening. “It’s not safe for women. I have a personal instance where guys have come after us and have taken pictures of the younger women. We have reported to the police here. But since the lake is under two wards – wards 25 and 26, it has been difficult to file a complaint.”
Even though home guards have been allocated to the area, there is only one middle-aged woman who patrols the area from 9am to 2pm. On asking BV Satish about the missing home guards, he says, “Four have been assigned, but due to Ramzan, most of them are on leave now. They will come after two-three days.”
Friends of Lakes will be meeting the residents on Sunday, to look for measures to save the lake. Ramprasad from Friends of Lakes, says, “We will go and see and take inputs from the local people and look at what they can do about it. We want the local community to be involved in it.”