City lakes being swallowed

City lakes being swallowed

Deccan Herald

BANGALORE:Hoskerehalli-Should there be a lake inthis halli?This is the question thatoften arises when one talksabout the few lakes, including Hoskerehalli lake thathas survived in the City.The anguished cry of the locals,environmentalists andthe people concerned withthe future is ‘Save the lake,’which is a cry in the wilderness.

Encroachment

The lake is spread over60 acres out of which 16acres has already been encroached upon.

All efforts are going onto encroach the remainingarea. The other disturbingfactor is the lake has become a centre for collectingdrainage water.

The Corporation has notbothered to save the lake,instead it is making all efforts to see that the beautyand the surroundings arespoiled.

Silence

Even the Lake Development Authority is silent onthis issue.

The Authority which isalready facing a resourcecrunch is in no position todo anything for the development of the lake.

The Authority’s ChiefOfficer Sugara wiped hishands off saying, “We haverequested that the Hoskerehalli lake be included underthe National Lake Protection programme.”It is said that the Lake Development Authority hascome up with a proposalthat the lake can still besaved if Rs three crore donation is given.

But little do they realisethat the residents ofHoskerehalli are hardly in aposition to come up withthis kind of money.

Down the drain

“We will not allow thelake to be encroached uponunder any condition,” saidlocal resident Papanna.

“All Bangalore WaterSupply and Sewerage Boardhas to do is see that thesewage water is not released into the lake. Onlythen we can think ofrestoration. Otherwise, allour efforts will literally godown the drain,” said Sugara.