BENGALURU: The Chandapura Lake in Anekal taluk, situated on the outskirts of the city, is facing a grave threat with industrial waste and chemical effluents being discharged into it. The lake bed has been encroached by government hospitals and local shops while piles of garbage are also being dumped.
Around 20 years ago, the lake was a source of water for 10 surrounding villages. But, in the name of development, more and more factories are being built, and all polluted water is being discharged directly into the lake.
Every day, thousands of litres of polluted water are released from the factories in the Bommasandra industrial area. In addition, the piles of garbage that are dumped on the lake bed have further degraded the environment of the lake.
“We grew up swimming in this lake and catching fish. We grazed cattle and sheep near the lake, but now it is completely polluted as industrial and sewage waste are directly released into the water. When we did not have education, civilization was better, and when we are educated, we do not conserve our environment. The fundamental requirement is that STPs should be built. The government should look into this issue,” rues Arun, a local resident.
“A borewell of the municipality council near the lake is also polluted with industrial and sewage waste. Drinking water is not clean and there are cases involving people being admitted to local hospitals after drinking polluted water. Since 2015, the lake has been encroached often, and now only 5–10 acres of lake area have remained. The lake is interconnected with other lakes that are also polluted. We request the government to widen and clean the lake, “said Vijay Kumar, another local resident.