The Somasundarapalya lake in Bommanahalli zone exemplifies the long struggle of citizens in getting a water body restored. Once under attack by the entry of sewage, the lake was restored recently. However, it seems the woes affecting the waterbody are far from over as earlier this week, residents noticed dead fish floating on the surface of the water. Spread across more than 16 acres, the lake is located next to the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC). After years of struggle by the residents who were demanding the restoration and maintenance of the lake, the civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in 2018 commenced the work towards restoring the lake. “According to our documents, four acre of the lake is encroached. The encroachment is due to the installation of the sewage treatment plant of the KCDC. Rs 2 crore was allotted in 2018 under chief minister’s Nava Nagarothana scheme to carry out the development works in this lake. The work was carried out in phases as we had to stop the work due to the pandemic in 2020,” a senior BBMP official said on condition of anonymity. Earlier this week, the residents staying in the vicinity of the lake noticed dead fish floating in the lake. In the last five months, this was the eleventh such incident. Apart from Kothanur, which witnessed the death of hundreds of fishes twice in the lake this year, Iblur, Seetharamapalya, Chelekere, Madiwala, Kundanahalli, Doodakallasandra, Bhattarahalli and Kundanahalli were the other lakes which witnessed similar incidents. Commenting on the issue, lake activist Raghavendra Pachhapur said, “Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has tested the water samples of Somasundarapalya Lake. In the last one year, it has been classified under Class-E thrice and Class-D nine times. During the month of May this year, it was classified under Class-E. Entry of bio-material or chemical into lake water can be easily identified by the KSPCB water quality analysis. BBMP, the custodian of the lake, could have taken preventive measures to stop further pollution, thereby maintaining the water quality under Class-D in the lake.” Offering his insights further, he said fish deaths could be easily stopped by BBMP’s lakes department if it works in coordination with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the storm water drain wing of the BBMP and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) regularly. Lalithamba B V, a member of the Community Task Force (a resident’s collective) informed that she had raised the issue with the KSPCB. “KSPCB officials said that they would collect the samples coming Monday and only then we would be able to know the reason behind the death of fish. We will request the BBMP to depute a home guard to protect the lake. Moreover, the entry of vehicles within the lake’s periphery should also stop. The greenery around the lake should be enhanced,” Lalithamba said. A few years ago, the lake used to be a dumping ground for raw and untreated sewage from nearby residential premises. Another member of the Community Task Force, Venkatesh H S, said, “Benches and solar lights have been installed around the lake. Now it is our responsibility to conserve the lake. It is very important to spread awareness about the importance of conservation of lakes. I would also request that pet owners take responsibility of their pets. If pets excrete on the walking track around the lake, it should be cleaned by the owners.” Gayathri Shekhar, who is also a member of the resident’s collective, said the BBMP should install dustbins around the lake. “Posters should be put up to warn lake visitors not to litter around. Greenery should also be encouraged around the lake,” she added. Next to the lake was a dumping ground. A few years ago, the residents removed truckloads of plastic from the ground and started planting saplings. They have named it ‘Sundaravana’.
