Bengaluru:
Nobody is in charge of Bengaluru's lakes - at least that is the impression, with any government department you ask putting the blame for the terrible condition of the city's waterbodies on each other.
But there is a glimmer of hope. The state's Upalokayukta has taken an interest in clearing up the mess. Justice Subhash Adi has taken an active part in NDTV's ongoing coverage of the city's lake crisis, and on Thursday he held a meeting at his office with officials and citizens who have been proactive on the issue.
"After my visit to Varthur Lake and another visit after the fire I had called a meeting of the Commissioner BDA, Deputy Commissioner Urban District, Engineering chief BWSSB, Commissioner BBMP and Pollution Control Board secretary," Justice Adi said after the meeting.
"In the preliminary enquiry, the District Collector told me that these two lakes, Bellandur and Varthur Lake together are about 919 acres, huge lakes. Survey is continued and in 15 days he will complete the survey and find out what is the extent of encroachment," he said.
"Secondly, the BWSSB has identified the inlets for these lakes from where this polluted water is coming. They have identified 17 inlets. Out of 17, five are only seasonal in rainy season. Two are having a treatment plant and treated water is discharged. In respect of 10 there is a big issue because it involves 800 to 1000 crore investment and according to the expert who had come here, he said even treated water contains nitrate and phosphate and it will not be fit for consumption and marine life also. So he suggested, unless there is wetland facility, this water will not be usable... For that he suggested a valley which is now encroached should be cleared so that we can develop this wetland and get potable water," Justice Adi added.
Also at the meeting was Elangovan K, a member of Whitefield Rising, a group that has been pushing for cleaning up of the lakes of the city. "He is pushing for who will own this activity He is writing to CS. Some work has already started in terms of identifying the boundaries of the two lakes, so hopefully we are on our way. Long haul but hopefully something will happen soon."
There is even optimistic talk of developing the tourism potential of these lakes - clearly there is a long way to go for that to happen. But a first step in the right direction is an important one.