Mangalureans go fishing in an ancient lake

An angling competition under the banner Bairady Lake Protection Committee was held at Bairady lake near Padil in Mangaluru on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA J R Lobo said that the lake would be developed at a cost of Rs 3.35 crore and will soon become centre of tourist attraction. The Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has sanctioned Rs 2.55 crore while the Minor Irrigation Department has sanctioned Rs 80 lakh for the purpose. The tender for the development work on the lake is in progress. The angling competition will attract visitors to the lake, he said.

Lobo further said that the lake development committee has been working towards the conservation of the lake for the last several years.

Mayor Kavitha Sanil said that when youth engage themselves in a hobby, they will not fall prey to bad habits. Women should also take part in angling, she suggested.
The committee organised an angling contest for the public to create awareness among them on the protection of lakes.

Committee convener Annayya Kulal said that the lake has a history of over 500 years. It is spread over three acres and was a major source of water to eight nearby villages. The lake does not go dry even during peak summer. Owing to lack of maintenance over a period of time, however, the lake got polluted, with sewage water entering the lake, said the convener.

The angling contest will also motivate the people to take up similar lake conservation initiatives in their respective localities, said Kulal.

Former MLC Monappa Bhandary, Corporator Prakash B and others were present on the occasion.