Sankey tank too is highly polluted: IISc study

'If not restored soon, it will also burn like Varthur lake'

One of the prime lakes in the City, Sankey Tank, too faces the threat of increasing pollution and encroachment.

The government claims that Sankey Tank is a model lake but in reality, it is highly polluted, shows a report published by Centre for Environmental Studies, Indian Institute of Science. The report points out that if the lake is not restored soon, it will become like Varthur lake, which recently frothed and burnt.

This has caught the attention of local residents and resident welfare associations in the area. Last week, they gave a representation to Forest and Ecology minister Ramanath Rai pointing to the condition of the lake and the threats it faced.

The report titled ‘Sankey Lake: Waiting for an immediate sensible action’ was released earlier this month. Since then many residents and resident welfare associations have been expressing their concern over the increasing pollution levels and encroachment threat pointed in the report.

Dr Anand, President of Sankey Tank Morning Walkers Association, said: “We met the minister last week and based on the report, we gave our representation to him. We also gave him a copy of the report and informed him of the pollution and encroachment threat the lake faced from relators.”

Prof T V Ramachandra, CES, IISc, head of the six-member team that prepared the report, said the lake is highly polluted and foul smell is constantly emanating from it now. The lake is a perfect example of a stagnant water body. Its natural flow of water has been blocked because of which it has lost its self cleaning ability.

The lake is getting contaminated because of sewage entering from seven points connected to the storm water drains. The presence of algae in the lake has increased which is also affecting its aquatic life. There is also excessive growth of toxin producing elements in the lake which are making matters worse. The buffer zone of 30 metres around the lake is also being violated.

The lake is spread across 42.76 acres and its catchment area is of 1.254 km (0.8 mile) with one island within its premise. It is the widest lake and has a width of 800 metres (2,624.7 feet) and a maximum depth of 9.26m (30.4 ft). The importance of Sankey Tank lies in maintaining the ground water level in its surrounding areas, that includes Malleswaram, Palace Orchards, Rajamahal Vilas, Vyalikaval, Palace Guttahalli and Yeshwanthpur.