The Ulsoor Lake, a popular attraction for visitors and residents of east Bangalore, has of late become an eyesore due to the apathy of the public and the authorities. While it pleases the eyes of those who drive past, it presents a depressing picture to walkers and pedestrians, thanks to the vast quantities of waste floating on it.
What assaults the eye is a vast floating layer of non-recycled debris comprising plastic bags and water bottles and even sacks.
It took a letter to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) from an annoyed MEG, which bears the brunt of the pollution, for caretakers of the lake to stir into action. A BBMP official blamed the source of the waste on the open drain from Munireddypalya that is directly aligned with Ulsoor Lake.
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Mesh plan
The BBMP is now putting up a mesh around the area to restrict the waste to the fringes. “The BBMP received a letter from MEG saying that the floating waste is affecting their [aquatic] training area. We are putting a mesh around the 20-metre area at a cost of Rs. 3.5 lakh,” the official said.
When asked about the wastewater contaminating the lake, especially during monsoon, the official admitted nothing could be done about it. “There is a diversion pipe for that purpose. But if the intensity of the rain is high, then there is not much we can do,” he said. As a consolation, he added that even in case the water from the drain got mixed with that of the lake, the pollutants will be diluted.
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The BBMP has received a rap on the knuckle from the Lake Development Authority (LDA) as well. Chief Conservator of Forests (LDA) U.V. Singh told The Hindu he had directed the civic body to expedite the meshing work.