Say goodbye to Yediyur Lake

FADING AWAY?
Yediyur Lake shrinks, thanks to encroachers
THe Times of India

Bangalore: Just as the Sampangi Lake turned into Kanteerava Stadium, Dharmambudi Lake into Kempgowda Bus Terminal, the Yediyur Lake too might be lost if the authorities fail to take timely action.

The once 18.02-acre lake has now shrunk to just about 10 acres, said sources in Lake Development Authority. Worse, this lake is perhaps the only lake in city which does not have much water despite good rains this season. As per the latest city survey of land revenues, around three acres of the lake area have already been encroached upon. “Its original area was 18.02 acres, of which 2.90 acres were alloted by the government to a private party,’’ Lake Development Authority assistant director of fisheries and public information officer A Jayasheela Reddy has admitted.

Besides, the lake, which has weeds grown all over, has become a health hazard for more than 400 residents staying in its vicinity. President of Lake View Residents’ Association R Kashinath said: “The borewell water of the area has reached the adulteration level of 800 pp which is not permissible even for secondary purposes. The water quality is poor thanks to the sewage pipelines from which sewage flowed into the lake.’’

He added: “Though the BMP has been talking about installing water treatment plant for the past five years, it has not happened till date.’’
“Since there is no security guard for the lake, it is regularly being used by around 400 villages to attend Nature’s call,’’ said the secretary of the Residents’ Association, N G Nagesh.

Five years ago, the residents, after getting permission from the then Corporation Commissioner had initiated the effort to conserve the lake by planting trees and cleaning up of the tank bund, but the work was stopped. “The permission was subsequently withdrawn,’’ said Kashinath.

Krishna D Udapudi, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Deputy Conservator of Forests, said: “The lake has little water in it because the inlet drains have been either diverted or blocked by new buildings. The complete restoration of the lake will require Rs 3.25 crore, and we will take up the issue with higher officials.’’