The BBMP Lakes Department has faced criticism for initiating construction of the wall for fencing the lake without removing silt and not conducting a survey to clear the encroachments on the lake land. Residents claim that over five acres of lake land has been converted into a private layout, with the land mafia having sold some residential sites.
Balaji Raghotham, lake activist, told BM that the lake was once a source of drinking water and was very clean. “However, without adequate efforts to maintain and monitor it, it has deteriorated. Garbage dumping and weed infestation are taking a toll on this beautiful water body,” he said.
These developments follow the publication of two articles by the Bangalore Mirror on October 11. These articles, titled “Let the lakes be.” and “What an idea! Draining a lake to desilt wetland,” highlight the concerns of residents regarding Benniganahalli Lake, a celebrated model lake in the city and how lake activists insisted on stopping draining water from Seegehalli Lake as it is needed to water the plants and trees around the lake bund.
Meanwhile, BBMP Lakes Department executive engineer Bhooprada has said that she has already instructed the contractor to close the gap between the manhole and the lake bund. “We have decided to postpone desilting of the wetland till summer. We waited till September to commence the desilting of the wetland. We expected to commence the desilting this month but there is no respite from rain. It is better to take up desilting of the wetland in summer,’’ said the BBMP executive engineer.
Bangalore Mirror published a story – Weeds to water sports – on March 27 and another story – Lake faces toxic trespass – on June 20. Now, it is again in the news. This time, the water body has become a convenient place to immerse Ganesha idols for some.