BANGALORE: Vanishing lakes in the city is not a new phenomena and the current state of Sadarmangala lake is a clear indication of one more such lake in the making. Sadarmangala lake in Hoodi ward under the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is in urgent need of restoration and rejuvenation.
When City Express visited the ward, we found that the lake had almost dried up and today it is being used as a dumping yard by many. Sabitri K, a resident said, “People bring their cattle to graze in this lake. The area corporator has not taken any initiatives to revive the lake.” Another resident, Puttamma, said, “We are forced to dispose off the garbage here since the civic workers do not come on a regular basis.”
"There was a time when people used to come near the lake to take a walk. But, today the very existence of the lake is at stake. I wonder if the authorities will ever take any measure to create the ambience, which once the lake provided,” said Manohar, a resident.
When City Express took up the matter with the area corporator B A Basavaraju, he said, “As of now no funds have been sanctioned for the renovation of the lake. The proposal for the revival of lake has been kept pending but I will introduce it in the upcoming council meeting. We will revive the lake for the public very soon.”
On the lake being used as garbage dumping yard and cattle grazing area, he said, “It is the villagers who come to the lake to graze their cattle and I cannot stop them.”
Today, about 42 lakes have already lost their existence in the name of development works and urbanisation.
Many lakes were converted into residential layouts, bus stands, playgrounds, stadiums, industries, sports complexes and government buildings.
With promises from the Palike on taking initiatives to rejuvenate the lakes in the city, we would like them to have a look at the pathetic condition of lake and hope that the fate of this lake will not end up as another residential apartment or a sports complex.