Residents living around Sadaramangala lake, near Kodigehalli, are worried that the water body will soon fall prey to encroachers. They allege that water is being drained out of the lake through an outlet that was recently dug, and that three concrete structures have come up within 75 metres of the lake bed.
"The structures have come up in the last one month, which is surprising as the lake had been earmarked for rejuvenation and the tahsildar's office recently carried out a survey of the area," said Pallavi Sharma, a resident of Sadaramangala. She added that a channel was dug up linking the lake to a drain. Soon after that, some land-owners extended their holdings by pushing their boundaries into the lake bed.
A foul smell emanates from the lake and slight foaming can be seen at certain times, she added.
However, BBMP’s Lake Department officials said the the structures are beyond 75 metres. “On Monday, the tahsildar had marked the lake boundary. These structures fall outside the boundary," said an official.
Officials said that the lake area would be fenced and encroachments removed. "The boundary has been marked and fencing is going on. We have shown the boundary to the BBMP lakes division. They will fence the lake. If construction has taken place on the boundary, it will be removed," said Tejas Kumar, tahsildar, K.R. Puram.
Struggle at Haralur lake
Surrounded by multi-storey apartments, Haralur lake near Sarjapura Road was once known for its rich biodiversity. However, its condition has deteriorated, and residents worry that untreated sewage and waste from a temporary settlement nearby is polluting the water body despite their best efforts.
Tin sheds have been put up for labourers close to the lake bed, which residents claim violates the National Green Tribunal's regulation on buffer zones. "Though we objected, the builder refused to stop work," says Tarun, a resident of an apartment close by.
Residents accuse health officials of not bothering to act on their complaints.
To add to the problem, sewage from apartments from Somasundarapalya is being let into the lake through a stormwater drain. "We have been trying our best to rejuvenate the lake, but are being thwarted by promoters of residential projects," said another resident.
In one case, the STP can handle waste from only 100 apartments but the complex has 600 apartments. The remaining waste is being let directly into the lake.
Residents complain of several cases of dengue in the area in the past few months. Plus, incessant dumping of untreated sewage into the lake has affected the ground water, making its unfit for human consumption.
The area does not have supply of Cauvery water and residents depend on borewells for their needs.
BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer of Bellandur ward Munireddy said he would look into the matter and take necessary action.
An official with the BBMP Lakes Department said that the labour shed is on private land and an apartment is being built in the vicinity. "There was some blockage in the rajakaluve due to dumping of chicken waste, which we have put an end to," said the official.
