Residents strive to breathe life into Nallurahalli Lake

The century-old Nallurahalli Lake in Whitefield limits, which was once a favourite spot for migratory birds, has turned into a dumping yard for IT parks and residences in the area. All this, thanks to the BBMP's apathy.

Garbage abounds the banks of the 24-acre lake, and the stormwater drain leading to the waterbody is choked with plastic.

Apart from being encroached by private firms at a few places, the lake has turned into a dumping yard of vegetable and meat waste from several restaurants, IT parks and residential areas in the locality.

Regular walkers across the lake complain about the foul smell emanating from the garbage mounds. "I can spot worms feeding on the garbage and see dogs feasting on the rotten meat every day. Forget the smell, but we can’t bear the mosquito menace," said Vimal S, a resident in the vicinity.

De-weeding of the lake was done by the residents, including apartment dwellers and village folks, two years ago. They had even planted over 300 saplings along the bund.

"Two years ago, hardly any garbage was dumped here. But the intensity (of garbage dumping) has increased over the months. No civic body is heading this way. The residents and restaurants here fear no one. They will continue to dump waste until someone restricts them," Vimal added.

Many corporate professionals are trying to clean parts of the lake as a part of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities.

"Last week, we visited the lake and planted some saplings, and cleared a bit of the dry plastic in the area. But how long can volunteers undertake the cleaning? We need the support of the BBMP," said Krishna Kumar, a corporate professional and resident of Nallurahalli.

'Lake with BDA'

Swapna N K, environmental engineer, BBMP, said: "The lake still comes under the Bangalore Development Authority. We have sent a proposal to the government to get 58 lakes under our custody. We will begin the development work at the Nallurahalli Lake once it is handed over to us."