Arakere Lake: Crores spent go down the drain

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Though crores of rupees have been spent over a decade to improve the condition of Arakere Lake, the water body continues to face the inflow of sewage water, waste dumping and encroachment.

The lack of a proper fence around the lake and round-the-clock security has made the lake vulnerable to dumping of all types of waste. The existing fence is porous with miscreants having built holes on it.

Residents of Arekere and lake activists say the pressing need is fencing the lake to prevent encroachment and also block people entering illegally into the lake land.

“I want the authorities to fence the lake land immediately. I have seen heaps of debris dumped near a few well-grown trees. I want the authorities to clear the debris and install gates at the entry points,” said Raghavendra B Pachchapur, a lake activist.

He said sewage is entering the lake through two inlets and is polluting the water body. “I think some irresponsible people have made holes to the fence to facilitate entry onto the lake bund without taking risk of entering through the gates fixed at the two entry points. Flowing of sewage into the lake leads to algal bloom and hyacinth. The authorities concerned have to take measures to stop sewage flowing into the lake,’’ he said.

Suraj Hosakote, a resident of Hulimavu said, “Once upon a time this lake was nice and filled with birds, slowly it got contaminated. The government realized it, but failed to do anything. The authorities had released a few crores of rupees more than seven years ago. The authorities took up fencing and development of the lake bund but later it got into a mess.” 

Pramod, another resident, said they have been trying to reach out to so many people here to rejuvenate the water body, but it’s not happening. “Apparently, the case is still pending  with regards to this lake is what we are hearing. But, there is no improvement at all. This lake can become a breather for many if all the inlets are stopped from factories to residential areas. This needs immediate attention,’’ said Pramod.

Meanwhile, a BBMP Lakes Department engineer has said that a proposal has been sent to higher authorities to fence the lake land and install gates at the entrance and divert sewage from entering into the lake. “We will take all measures to protect Arekere Lake,’’ he said.