BENGALURU: Call it a summer curse as hundreds of fishermen families dependent on city lakes are left scraping a livelihood as many water bodies have completely dried up or the water level is drastically low.
Subbaiah, advisor to the Bengaluru Meenu Utpadaka Mattu Marata Sahakara Sangha, said in Ulsoor Lake, fishing activities have stopped for the last 25 days. In Jakkur Lake, there was no fishing in the last three weeks as the water level has come down.
According to the deputy director of fisheries department, over 2,500 fishermen and their families are dependent on 137 tanks. Of these, around 35 per cent have dried up.
“In all, 35 fishermen families are dependent on Ulsoor Lake. Fish like Katla, Rohu, Mrigal and Tilapia fetch between Rs 7o and 80 a kilo. However, in the last month, there is no fishing in the lake as the water levels have gone very low and it is not suitable for boats,” said Subbaiah.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Chief Engineer of Lakes, Vijay Kumar, said, “The water bodies in Bengaluru are taken care of by civic agencies, but fishing in lakes is the responsibility of fisheries department.”
“With many lakes going dry, it is impacting the lives of fishermen too. The lakes will get filled either by rains or by treated water now,” he added.
Commenting on the situation, Chikkanna, fisheries deputy director of Bengaluru Urban, said, “There is a provision to help the fishermen community grow and sell fish from urban water bodies. Many lakes in Bengaluru have gone dry. Now, some lakes are being filled with treated water.”
“Since the fishermen have been given a five-year contract, they can hope to recover when it rains,” said Chikkanna.
The official said, according to data, 70 tanks were given on lease for a total amount of Rs 16.072 lakh. For individual fishermen under e-tender, 67 tanks were leased out and the department received Rs 113.74 lakh.
Similarly, two reservoirs -- Tippagondanahalli and Hessarghatta -- were leased for Rs 5.40 lakh.