It’s been over a year since the Bellandur lake saw froth, then fire, but nothing seems to have changed since then.
The lake continues to spout froth, and the monsoon is all but here. Though huge sums have been announced for its rejuvenation, experts say no concrete steps have been taken.
“Putting up a mesh and alteration of ramp are ad-hoc measures. In fact, if anything, the water quality has deteriorated further,” said T.V. Ramachandra of the Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), when he presented a bathymetric survey of Bellandur and Varthur lakes, which his team conducted with help from the Madras Engineers Group (MEG) and the local community.
The team surveyed the lakes during March, April and May, with the study including a depth analysis of the two lakes, the water quality every 10 metres and the even the quality of the sediment. “There have been a lot of assurances, but nothing has been done,” said Prof. Ramachandra on Sunday.
The rejuvenation plan that the team has drawn up includes putting up a musical fountain to introduce aeration and some aesthetic sense. “If you observe Ulsoor Lake, there was no fish death in the parts maintained by the Army as there was some activity there,” he said.
He also cited this as one of the reasons why the Eco Battalion should take over the maintenance of the lakes.
Among the other suggestions are recovering and reusing resources, with the silt and slush worth Rs. 15,000 crore, and making the polluters pay restoration charges. The report is likely to be submitted to the State government this week.
Main suggestions
Remove silt, use it for other purposes
Remove encroachments
Install a musical fountain to increase aesthetic appeal and introduce aeration
Make the polluters pay the price of rejuvenation
