JOIN USIllegal dumping of garbage and debris has posed a major threat to Sarakki lake in JP Nagar even as Karnataka High Court has directed the district authorities to restore the water body by removing encroachments.
Every day, trucks line up at Sarakki Lake to dump debris and garbage. As a result, the extent of the lake is shrinking with each passing day. Residents even complained that the garbage contractors are setting the waste on fire instead of sending it to garbage processing units.
Eshwarappa of People’s Campaign for Right to Water (PCRW), alleged that the dumping of waste into the lake lays bare the truth of BBMP’s claim that it has switched to scientific disposal of waste in the City. “The present situation is appalling. It drains down our efforts to save this prestigious lake spread on approximately 84 acres,” said Eshwarappa.
It was the PCRW, which had approached the Karnataka High Court to save the lake from encroachment and dumping of debris. The High Court had ordered the eviction of encroachment. Till now the district authorities have not taken any measure to remove encroachment except for surveying the lake land on the basis of its survey sketch.
Many temples, apartments and a road has come up on the lake land. The BWSSB has caused further damage by letting untreated sewage into it. Now the lake has turned into a cesspool of sewage and unbridled growth of water hyacinth and other weeds. When contacted, the Bangalore Urban district authorities said they were unaware of the illegal dumping. However, they assured action against the culprits.