On Wednesday, protests erupted at the Yamlur Lake, from which flames have been surfacing the last few days due to heightened pollution levels.
The condition of Bengaluru's lakes continues to be a cause of concern. On Wednesday, protests erupted at the Yamlur Lake, from which flames have been surfacing the last few days due to heightened pollution levels.
People living near Yamlur turned up to highlight the deterioration of the lake and its neglect over the years.
"Yamlur village people are suffering due to the bad odour of this lake that's why, the last three days we have been witnessing fire in the Yamlur Lake also," said Sushil, a resident.
"For the past 15 years we have been seeing this foam. Last week the fire started because of the waste chemicals from the surrounding water. The main canal is blocked, so harmful chemicals are accumulating," another resident Abhishek told NDTV.
"Demand is nothing but first they have to open the canals. They have to clean up the entire lake. They have to take the waste away the waste that has been stored for several years," added Srinivas, a protester.
The authorities say that there is no instant fix and that cleaning up this lake and others around the city will be a long process.
The Upalokayukta has issued notices to the government departments who have been passing the buck on the issue of lake protection in the city, but it does not look as if this lake will be saved anytime soon.
Pollution Control Board Chairman, Mr Vaman Acharya told NDTV, "The best way is to take this whole water, treat it in treatment plants, STPs, then allow treated water to flow further. That is the only solution, there are no shortcuts that I can do tomorrow morning."
The condition of lakes in Bengaluru is certainly not good. Media attention and protests both on the ground and online have caught the eye of the authorities, but whether attention will be turned into action still remains to be seen. Don't hold your breath, unless it is to avoid the smell.