One more lake in City fights losing battle

One more lake in City fights losing battle
Vijay Times

Bangalore: It was one of the best lakes in the City with over a hundred species of birds beng sighted around it. The Lake Development Authority (LDA) along with the Forest Department had planned to convert into a sanctuary , but now it is just a marsh.

W elcome to Puttenhalli lake near Y elahanka, which is fast turning into another sewage water pit with several industries and housing complexes letting waste into it posing problems to residents adjacent to the lake.

"The wind blowing from the lake brings foul smell and many of my neighbours have been affected by diseases such as gastroenteritis. W e brought this to the notice of officials, but nothing seems to be working here," says Neetu Somayya Pattad, a housewife at Vinayaka Layout, near the lake.

"W e bought sites here because the area around the the lake was good eight years ago . Now , it has become suffocating here. Industries and hotels around the lake let the effluents into the lake," said Subhash K ulkarni, another resident who works with a private firm.

The Bangalore W ater Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) treatment plant near the lake has remained defunct for many years. Residents complain the borewells in the locality have been affected due to the sepage of water .

"W e even complained to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials, who ensured the matter would be raised in the Assembly . However , the devel opment work still remains on paper ," says H Bheemaiah, President, Vinayaka Layout W elfare Association.

Interestingly , the LDA, way back in December 2003, had assured residents that the lake would be free from all problems a the earliest. However , the work is yet to begin and problems have gone from bad to worse.

Only promises...

Considering the bird diversity in the region, the LDA had promised to beautify it in 2003 and convert it into a sanctuary as more than 75 species of birds can be sighted here.

Migratory birds like Northern Shovellers, painted stork, open billed stork, white necked stork, white ibis and other birds can be seen here at close range.