MYSORE: The jewel in the crown of Mysore that is back in news again for the wrong reason. Kukkarahalli Lake¸ which inspired poet Kuvempu to pen his immortal works, is turning into a symbol of neglect and official "apathy."

Giant fish were found floating dead in the lake on Tuesday, and the water body continued to maintain a high level of turbidity.

Algae formation continues unabated and untreated sewage continues to flow into the lake undoing all the beautification work carried three years ago with funding from the Asian Development Bank.

Non-governmental organisations in the city pointed out that there can be no future for the lake and any beautification work will be cosmetic in nature unless sewage is diverted and encroachments along the feeder channel removed.

While the administration of Kukkarahalli Lake is vested with the University of Mysore, the sewage diversion comes under Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and Mysore Urban Development Authority.

It was over this issue that works pertaining to revival of the lake was delayed. And after three years, it is now back to square one as the university authorities have made it clear that they cannot be held responsible for the failure of the civic bodies to divert sewage. The moot question being raised by concerned citizens is pertinent — more than Rs. 90 lakhs was spent on reviving the lake. Why was it not used to clear encroachments and divert sewage?

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