Dying lakes, unattended garbage and unbridled construction became points of a discussion with Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar during his visit to the sprawling Sankey Tank here on Saturday morning.
Combining the morning walk with an interactive session with residents, the Minister spent nearly 45 minutes by the lake. Members of the Sankey Park Walkers’ Association brought to his attention the plastic bottles that lay in the seemingly idyllic lake.
“Lakes across Bengaluru are dying as there are no canals interlinking them. Sewage has been let into lakes, including Sankey Tank,” said Meenakshi Bharath, solid waste management expert and a resident of the area.
Pointing out a project that would see high-rise apartments abutting the tank, the association also urged Mr. Javadekar to prohibit any construction close to lakes.
The Minister asked the walkers to submit a petition and assured them that the Centre will take up the matter with the State government.
Lakes across Bengaluru are dying as there are no canals interlinking them.
Meenakshi Bharath,
Solid waste management expert
