Environmentalists say froth is due to huge amount of toxic chemicals and untreated sewage
The terrible froth in Bengaluru's Bellandur lake has flared up again after a bout of rain on Sunday. The net that was fixed around the lake to try and hold the foam back collapsed. For the last two days, gouts of foam with embedded dirt and muck came onto the road, spattering passers-by - the same foam had brought media attention to the plight of the lake in 2015.
But two years down the line, little has changed. A couple of teams from UK and Israel that were called in by the state government, have come on a recce and given their recommendation on lowering the pollution. But the implementation has hit a roadblock, as opinion is divided on whether national or international agencies will be put in charge of the programme.
In February, a fire had started in the lake, triggering anger from the locals. Environmentalists say the froth is due to the huge amount of pollutants, toxic chemicals and untreated sewage, poured into the 4 square km lake from local factories.
The police had blamed the fire on garbage dumped in it. Residents of the apartment buildings that line the lake say garbage and weeds are regularly burnt in the area.
On Monday, the National Green Tribunal lashed out against Bengaluru municipality for issuing a circular in March that spoke lightly of the green tribunal. The circular also misinterpreted its order on buffer zone round lakes and storm water drains. The NGT also sought details on the untreated sewage being let into Bellandur lake.
The two major lakes of Bengaluru, Bellandur and Varthur, have been ruined because of the constant dumping of toxic wastes from small factories. The area around both smell foul and the dirty froth have been accumulating in both since 2013.