Idol immersion not lone contributor in polluting lakes: Expert

Sumit Bhattacharya | NT

Bengaluru: To maintain biodiversity and ensure environmental sustainability, it is crucial to take care of the city's lakes.

Lakes play a significant role in contributing to environmental sustainability, but they have been adversely affected by various factors. Therefore, it has become essential to monitor the condition of lakes throughout the city.

Festive seasons are particularly important due to the numerous rituals and idol immersions, along with associated elements such as flowers, banyan leaves, artificial ornaments, etc.

It's important to note that idol immersion is not the sole contributor to pollution. Inyetullah, a lake expert based in Bengaluru, shared his insights with News Trail, stating, "Sewage is a significant issue, and therefore, I would say that relying solely on Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will not solve the entire lake problem."

The major problem lies with stormwater drainage, which enters and exits the lakes without undergoing any treatment, he added. To address lake pollution effectively, sewage should undergo specialised treatment.

In this regard, Inyetullah emphasised the need for well-designed stormwater drainage systems. He further mentioned, "Besides proper planning and effective implementation, the involvement of Social Welfare Development (SWD) programs is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, most proposals focus solely on STPs, and there are few concentrated proposals for SWD."

Inyetullah also recounted previous methods where water was used to pass through wetlands. However, these wetlands were not adequately designed for such purposes.

Additionally, although STPs existed, other inlets downstream continued to introduce pollutants into the water body, resulting in ongoing pollution. As a solution, the lake expert stressed the importance of SWD programs across the city to prevent lake pollution.

Furthermore, he advocated for the supervision of stormwater drainages by experts at both the city and state levels.

In conclusion, addressing the issue of lake pollution in Bengaluru requires a multifaceted approach that includes sewage treatment, well-designed stormwater drainage systems, and a strong SWD.