Water in lakes in the western part of Bangalore is so polluted that even animals should not drink it. The water is unfit for agriculture as well.
A study, conducted by Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) recently, revealed that all fishes in Kommaghatta lake and Dubasipalya lake, near Nagarbhavi, were completely wiped out due to heavy pollution levels. Analysis of water samples from 33 lakes in the region revealed that the pH values exceeded the standards in more than 75 percent of the lakes.
Heavy metals like cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, nickle, lead and zinc were found in beyond permissible limits. There was 14.21 mg of iron, against a permissible limit of 1 mg in the water at Makli Katti, and 13.66 mg in Yelachguppe lake.
Mercury was also traced in some lakes. Lead contamination was as high as 0.21 mg in Bandematta lake and 0.20 mg in Margondanahalli Hosakere and Kommaghatta Krishna Sagara. Water expert Captain Raja Rao said, “These levels are alarming and the government should try to find out who is polluting these water bodies. Everything possible should be done to prevent further pollution.”
“Fishing too should be stopped in these lakes. Mercury and lead enter the human food chain easily through fishes. Consumption of mercury contaminated fish can lead to minamata disease and lead contaminated fish hampers the development of the human brain,” he pointed out.
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Vaman Acharya said, “We have minimised the pollution levels in most of the industries. The pollution levels could be due to indiscriminate dumping of garbage or due to release of sewage into these water bodies.”
Bangalore Urban in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy told Express: “I am holding discussions with officials concerned to prevent the dumping of garbage and sewage into lakes. We will do it at the earliest.”