Bengaluru: As part of United Bengaluru’s initiative to reclaim the city’s water bodies, a team comprising lake and urban experts, along with concerned citizens visited Kaggadasapura, Vibhutipura and Doddanekundi lakes located in Mahadevapura Zone.
In a startling revelation, the residents cleaning the edge of Kaggadasapura Lake complained of inflow of sewage and the tussle between the BDA and BBMP to take the responsibility over desilting the lake.
“Desilting of the lake is very important. We cannot clean the entire lake but with this, we are trying to draw the attention of the civic authorities. Right now it is not known who is responsible for the cleaning of the lake,” said Jagadish, a businessman.
Stressing on the importance to preserve the lakes, Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said, “I urge everyone to come together to save lakes irrespective of the political parties. File the RTI in order to avail information related to Kaggadasapura Lake and demand answers from BDA and the BBMP.”
At the Vibhutipura Lake, it was found out that the fence at the entry point of the lake was broken. Moreover, the residents around the lake claim that the place has become a hub for anti-social activities and requested the corporator to deploy a night watchman.
On reaching the Doddanekkundi Lake, residents not only complained about the encroachment and the untreated sewage water flowing into the lake, they also said that the public toilets near the lake were left defunct.
Ram Prasad of Friends of Lakes said, “There should be a balance between lake rejuvenation, ecological balance and livelihood of the people who are dependent on the lake for their living. Some fishermen and cattle breeders are depending on the lake for the living and this should not be affected due to lake rejuvenation.”
On being asked about the reason behind the drying up of the lakes, he said that this was due to the blockage of the inlet no water can enter into the lakes.
Freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, who has been in the forefront of lake saving campaign, lambasted the government for not doing enough to protect the lakes.
“It is shameful on the part of the government that they are not protecting the lakes. If lakes are protected we do not need Cauvery water at all. The government committees are an eyewash,” Doreswamy observed.
A police complaint was filed at the HAL Police Station against the illegal dumping at Vibhutipura Lake. Police Inspector Sadiq Pasha assured to take action against violators.
