BENGALURU: In November 2015, Byrasandra Lake in Jayanagar was a thriving water body. In less than two years, it has become a casebook study of how lakes in Bengaluru can be systematically plundered. While the frothing Bellandur lake has grabbed headlines and led the green tribunal to intervene, smaller lakes like Byrasandra remain in abject neglect.
One of the oldest water bodies, the 14-acre Byrasandra lake was revived in 2015 after a protracted legal battle by retired RBI official Venkata Subba Rao. Vinutha Naidu, a resident, recalls, “In November 2015, we rejoiced to see the lake brimming. We celebrated Kere Habba. But our happiness was shortlived.” The main reason for its decay has been sewage flow from neighbouring slums and other buildings.
Septuagenarian Rao, a resident of the nearby RBI Layout since 1976, has been fighting to save the water body for 25 years. “The lake had fish and attracted birds then. In 1985, Lakshman Rao Committee recommended developing the water body. But in 1992, many lorries began dumping debris into the lake, making it a plain, flat ground. This was done to house slum dwellers residing next to Nimhans quarters,’’ he said.
Rao filed a PIL in the high court.
“In 1996, the court ordered that no human dwelling can be set up on the lakebed. In 2004, the BMP took up development of the lake, spending `1.25 crore. Then on, things worsened. With no maintenance, weeds spread,’’ he said.
In 2005, the course of the lake took a curious turn. The Debt Recovery Tribunal called an auction of the land after a builder shockingly pledged the lake for a loan. Rao went to court again. “In 2011, then Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (now CJI) declared the auction null and void,’’ Rao said.
The next year, BDA took over the lake’s upkeep from BBMP. In 2013, Byrasandra lake saw another rejuvenation drive at a cost of Rs 3.65 crore. In two years, the lake was revived.
But as it was not fenced, slum dwellers and nearby residents started throwing waste, washing clothes and utensils and letting out sewage into it, slowly turning it barren. Only two months ago, BDA began fencing work.
“They made a small pit in the middle of the lake to collect rainwater. Instead, sewage water collects here. When it rains, the sewage enters the lake,” said Fayaz, a resident.
BDA blames the BWSSB for this. BDA Engineer Member P N Nayak said, “BDA is removing silt and constructing bunds. BWSSB must check the inflow of sewage.”
As agencies pass the buck and Byrasandra stands dry, Rao ruefully says, “All our struggles have gone down the drain.”
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