Fish kill in Kalkere pond

Dumping of drums containing hydrophilic softener — used in the textile industry — into the lake is said to have contaminated the water. The drums were earlier kept on the bank of the lake. However, they were dumped into the lake during the immersion of Ganesha idols in the pond.

“The drums broke and the fluid got mixed with water, resulting in the fish kill,” said M Revanna, Ramamurthynagar ward corporator.

The corporator, who visited the spot, rued that the immersion of Ganesha idols painted with lead-based paint also added to the contamination. He feared that at least 40,000 fish in the pond were killed.

Revanna told Deccan Herald that he had lodged a complaint with the BBMP against the storage of drums containing hydrophilic softener next to the pond and the immersion of Ganesha idols. But no action was initiated.

“I had even lodged a complaint with the Ramamurthy Nagar police, but no one took note of it, which ultimately resulted in this tragedy,” said Revanna. When contacted, Karnataka Pollution Control Board chairman A S Sadashivaiah expressed his shock over the incident.

“We will take serious note of it. I will right away send an officer to inquire into the matter,” he said. The authorities from the fisheries department also visited the spot.

The residents were in for a rude shock when they noticed dead fish floating in the lake.