Soon residents of Ramanagaram town can relax amidst verdant environs what with a group of progressive farmers deciding to desilt and rejuvenate the historical Malleshwara Lake here.
The lake situated near Ijur, on the outskirts of the town in Ramanagaram district, was a popular rendezvous for morning walkers. Also, it was once the lifeline of most parts of the town, supplying drinking water.
Now, the lake has been ignored and dying due to sewage being let into the lake and garbage being thrown into it, apart from being neglected by the authorities concerned.
Leaders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene leaders are now planning to desilt, clear the weeks and clean the area of the barren lake. They alleged that the authorities concerned had ignored their requests to develop and revive the lake.
The lake restoration works will start from Sunday, said Thumbenahalli Shivakumar, a progressive thinker and KRRS leader.
Mr. Shivakumar and his friends visited the Malleshwara lake on Thursday to take stock of the water body’s condition. They later convened a meeting at the KRRS office to finalise the lake rejuvenation plans.
“At least 200 farmers and volunteers from different parts of the town will participate in the effort,” said S. Rudreshwar, an activist. He opined that the lake, which used to supply water to several wards in Ramanagaram, had almost died due to immersion of Ganesha idols.
Shaarada Gowda, chairperson of the Ramanagaram-Channapatna Urban Development Authority, said that the authority would also work on improving the condition of the lake.
