Environmental activists in Bengaluru raise concerns over the neglect and waste in city lakes, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic waste management to prevent further deterioration. The article highlights the inadequate maintenance efforts, the impact on bird habitats at lakes like Doddakallasandra and Dorekere, and the call for community involvement and stricter policies to address the issue.
Doddakallasandra Lake, known for its biodiversity and as a habitat for migratory birds, has recently become a hotspot for fishing activities, sparking concerns among environmentalists and nearby residents. Members of the Doddakallasandra Lake Protection Committee, led by Soundarajan, disclosed their distress over the situation.
According to BBMP, the delay in kickstarting the initiative is owing to a technical glitch in the application. Moreover, there are plans to reopen the web portal so more citizens can register. Officials said nearly 600 citizens have volunteered to safeguard lakes and this number is not enough.
The other wetland has a little untreated water that has accumulated. It is now closing into the larger water body, which also has very little water. Close to 30-40% of the lake is left without water,” he explained. Lack of rainwater inflow has led to deterioration of the water quality at the lake.
“For more than two years, we have been escalating the issue of sewage entry into the lake. The entire sewage line on the 2nd main road of Soudhamini layout, which is more than 15 years old, is to be changed with bigger size pipes along with large chambers,” said Soundarajan, a resident who lives near the Doddakallasandra lake.