Sewage inflow kills fish, snails in Madiwala lake

Dead fish and snails around Madiwala lake have exposed the pathetic condition of the water body.

This has put the officials from the forest department, minor irrigation department and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on alert.

“The government officials claimed that the tank was being developed as a model lake but that does not seem to be the case. This only shows that just like any other water body in the city, untreated sewage is entering Madiwala lake too,” said Suma, a resident.

Harsha Vardhan, incharge Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru, said only 1% of the lake's fish were dead. But there are many dead snails. This is because of the heavy rain over the last few days. The snails, which were in rajakaluves and other connecting drains, entered the lake when it rained heavily and were found dead in the lake.

He said that since the lake is full of rainwater and the drains are overflowing, the untreated water gushed into the lakes and this led to the death of the fish and snails. BWSSB officials have been asked to speed up work on the sewage treatment plant and manage the drains.

The forest officials said that the lake was earlier being maintained by the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) in coordination with the forest department. But after KLCDA was disbanded, the work and funds were yet to be transferred to the forest department.

The Minor Irrigation Department, which is now in charge of all lakes has also not acted. G T Thimme Gowda, executive engineer, Bengaluru, Minor Irrigation Department said that the lake falls under BBMP limits and the municipality is in charge of it.