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Are Bengaluru's lakes on the brink of collapse?

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The recent spate of fish kills in Bengaluru lakes is a wake-up call for the city's authorities. These incidents are a clear indication that the lakes are under severe threat from pollution, and that immediate action is needed to protect them. Over 11 fish kills have been recorded at the Somasundarapalya Lake in Bengaluru.

Residents around the lake have been witnessing piles of dead fish floating on the surface of the lake and other fish gasping for air. Complaints have been made to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on several occasions, but no action has been taken yet. Recently, people have noticed fish struggling to breathe and dying in lakes like Doddakallasandra Lake and Kothanur Lake.

This has worried many activists and suggests that there isn't enough oxygen in the water for the fish to survive. Sewage and industrial being let into these lakes are polluting them. This sewage and industrial waste can contain harmful substances. These substances reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, which makes it hard for fish to survive.

There have been more than nine incidents of fish dying in Bhattrahalli Lake, and complaints have been filed with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The KSPCB is currently testing water samples to assess water quality. On June 21, several dead fish were found along the banks of Kundalahalli Lake.

Many activists and residents have filed complaints with the KSPCB. Multiple complaints have been made for the same lakes, such as Kothanur Lake, Kundalahalli Lake, and Doddakallasandra Lake. The number of fish dying is increasing rapidly, and people are demanding immediate action from the KSPCB and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.

THE MURKY REASON BEHIND THIS

Many lakes in Bengaluru, as per the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) data, have been classified as Class E, indicating they are unfit for wildlife and fisheries due to chemical contamination. Some lakes previously categorised as Class D have now shifted to Class E, with notable frequency in Kothnur, Seetarampalya, Chelekere, Madiwala, and Somasundrapalya lakes.

Raghavendra B Pachhapur from ActionAid Association suggests that the BBMP, responsible for lake maintenance, should collaborate with the KSPCB to curb pollution and fish kill and improve monitoring and sewage management. Additionally, the KSPCB should provide detailed water quality data promptly, while the BBMP and BWSSB officials should prioritise lake maintenance and sewage containment.

The recent fish kills in Bengaluru lakes are a reminder of the importance of protecting these important water bodies. The city authorities need to take steps to reduce pollution, prevent the destruction of aquatic vegetation, and clear garbage from lakes. By taking these steps, we can help to ensure the survival of the fish and other wildlife that call these lakes home.