Polluted tanks, lakes prove health hazard for children in Mavallipura

Children living in Mavallipura village, where the BBMP dumps the city's garbage, show signs of deteriorating health due to the increasing toxicity in the waterbodies.

A report by the Environment Support Group (ESG), titled 'Bangalore's Toxic Legacy Intensifies', which was released on Friday, revealed that the children in the village struggle with high respiratory disorders like frequent coughs, meningitis, bronchopneumonia, skin infections and susceptibility to vector-borne diseases like dengue.

It also revealed that the women have constant headaches, skin infections, respiratory disorders, menstrual problems and  musculoskeletal disorders.

The report is based on a survey undertaken by the ESG in September. The organisation interviewed 4,500 people residing in the villages of Shivakote panchayat, Yelahanka taluk, Ramagondanahalli and Subedarpalya, which is closer to the Mavallipura landfill.

The report said dumping millions of tonnes of unprocessed garbage has affected the streams emptying into the Arkavathy river and leaves the lakes in Kormanakunte, Mavallipura, Shivakote and Arvara Kandapur villages badly hit.

It also states that two out of five reverse osmosis (RO) plants installed at Mavallipura remains ineffective.

Retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice N Kumar, who dealt with a number of public interest litigation (PILs) on waste management, released the report.

Speaking at the event, Kumar urged the media to highlight segregation of waste at source by those who generate it.