One case in point is Dorekere Lake. The lakebed is covered with black, dried up slush and silt — the remnants of the untreated sewage that entered the waterbody over years. Experts said this deposition would now allow water to percolate.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) engaged contractors to take up developmental works at various lakes and parks, but these developmental works have become detrimental for the survival of saplings planted and nurtured by lake activists and volunteers over the years.
“We are planning to dispose of abandoned portraits by segregating wooden frames, glass and photo paper. We want the temple management to keep one or two drums to store broken ones. We are planning to visit such temples once a month to dispose of such photos and portraits,’’ said Shobha Bhat of Usire Foundation.
For instance, the total coliform level in Kammasandra Lake is 240 million MPN/100ml; in Seegehalli Lake, it is 2.4 million MPN/100ml; in Varthur Lake, it is found to be 17 million MPN/100ml; and in Kammagondanahalli Lake it is 2.2 million MPN/100ml. Groundwater experts say while the lake water is not directly being used for drinking purposes, it can contaminate shallow water aquifers in the area, rendering them unfit for drinking too.
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.