Bengaluru: One of the biggest water bodies in North Bengaluru, Yelahanka lake, has been given a fresh lease of life and a lake utsav was organised on Sunday.
Following the repeated requests by citizens and environmentalists to rejuvenate the lake, the BBMP and Lake Development Authority rejuvenated this lake, spread over 300 acres, at a cost of Rs 18 crore.
There is a six kilometre long walking track around the lake, parks and is now frequented by people in the neighbourhood.
Participating at the lake utsav, Yelahanka MLA S.R. Vishwanath said that earlier the lake was highly polluted and emanated foul smell because of discharge of industrial effluents and sewerage water. It had even contaminated the groundwater table, he added.
After the rejuvenation programme was taken up, jointly by the BBMP and the LDA, the entry of sewerage and industrial effluents were plugged and diverted to the drains. Since the water holding capacity of the lake has been increased by desilting, the groundwater table in the surrounding areas have improved and dependency on Cauvery water has come down, Vishwanath added.
He called upon the public to show the sense of belongingness and refrain from contaminating or polluting the lake. Public and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) must join hands with the government agencies to for the upkeep of the lake, he said.
Various cultural and folk programmes including kite festival was organized. A bicycle jatha was organised to spread awareness about the importance of water and its conservation.
