Bengaluru’s infamous Bellandur lake has frothed and foamed on several occasions, and in 2015, it caught fire. That got the attention of people and policy makers – except, not much has been done to address the pollution in the lake.
One of the major reasons behind the alarming levels of contamination in the lake is that 40% of the city’s sewage or 450 million litres per day (MLD) is let into it. Of this, only 308 MLD is treated, according to official figures. Further, dumping of construction debris, industrial effluents and other waste has also compound the problem.
The frothing, foaming and fires, apart from becoming a national spectacle, also pose a very real risk of a public health crisis. Residents of the area often wake up to a pungent smell, visuals of fire outside their bedroom windows, and the toxic foam from the lake flying up to their apartments. And on days the pollution is particularly bad, residents complain of respiratory issues too.
The situation in Bellandur, while has caught the limelight fairly recently, has been decades in the making. So, is it even possible to save the lake?
Activists and experts point out that while a lot of damage has been done, it may not be too late.
Watch the video here: