Two days ago, the DC photographer who set out to photograph the foam on Bellandur lake was shocked to find the situation replicated in Yemlur. Houses in the area had their windows and doors shut, while children played dangerous little games by setting the foam alight. Illnesses are on the rise too, for our civic authorities are simply re-routing the froth from one lake to another.
Living near Yemlur lake has become such a hazard that resident, Savitha K, ensures that the doors and windows of her house are always closed to protect her three children from the noxious froth spilling over from its banks. She also insists on keeping her children indoors as much as possible. Ask her if this is too cautious and she says, “I am concerned about the well being of my family and especially my children. If this is going to keep them from falling sick, then so be it.”
She is one of many people living near Yemlur lake whose lives have changed drastically, more so from the day the civic agencies decided to divert the sewage and froth from Bellandur lake towards it for widening the bridge over the former. Not surprisingly, Yemlur is now the new Bellandur.
The lake is smaller and the froth over it has grown into huge hillocks unlike in Bellandur where it is spread over a larger area. Even a light breeze is enough to send the froth flying around the area and into the homes of the people, who prefer staying indoors with their doors and windows closed to keep it from entering.
Visitors to Yemlur, who are greeted by an obnoxious smell, are often surprised to see the homes all bolted and shut and only some curious children out on the streets with matchsticks, trying to light a fire with the froth , in immitation of the stories of the fire on Bengaluru lakes last year.
A child playing with the froth coming out from Yemlur lake
If people are worried about their children’s health it is not without reason as many have been complaining of respiratory and skin problems. Says a local doctor, Prasanth Kumar, “I get a lot of patients, especially children, coming to me to with respiratory problems. The number of asthma patients here have increased over the last few years.”
Says Rajamma S, a mother of two, “The froth keeps flying around due to the wind. Our children used to play with it but have now stopped after being warned. But it can still come to rest on our food , which could be dangerous. Most of the children in our village suffer from flu, breathing problems and headaches. Both adults and children complain of skin problems as well.”
Not surprised by the many health issues of the Yemlur residents, professor T V Ramachandran of the Indian Institute of Science warns the froth also has a high nitrate concentration, which can even lead to cancer.
With no solution in sight although it has been over five years since untreated sewage from apartments and industries in HAL, Domlur, Kormangala and Agara began flowing into Bellandur lake, IISc. professor, Ashwin Mahesh demands pertinently, “Who is going accept responsibility if something happens? Our lakes form a chain and so pollution in one affects the other. We have to address this issue at each point to stop it from have a cascading effect.”
Although the authorities have fenced the lake and installed about four to six machines near it to spray a chemical to mitigate the smell and froth, this doesn’t seem to have helped matters any.
‘Stop sewage from entering the lake’
All eyes are now on the Bengaluru Blueprint Action Group (BBAG), which has promised to solve the city’s problems and clean up its lakes. While a sub-committee on lakes set up by BBAG is expected to come out with a solution for a frothing Bellandur, civic activist , Meenakshi Bharath stresses the need for both short and long term measures to tackle the pollution .
“For the short term sewage must be stopped from entering these lakes with immediate affect and after that the rejuvenation process must begin. If people don’t listen, they should be penalised for letting their sewage into the lakes,” she suggests. As far as the BBAG sub-committee is concerned, she demands,
“Does it have the power to levy such a fine? If not, the it will be like any other sub-committee.” Urban expert, Ashwin Mahesh believes that a sub-committee alone cannot stop the pollution of the city's lakes. “ We need to create a working task force that will dedicate itself to cleaning up the lakes,” he says.
Q & A with Lakshman, chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
What do you have to say about the Yemlur froth issue?
I am being informed about the situation by your newspaper. I will depute my staff for immediate inspection. Once they give me a spot report, we will take all the necessary measures. I will direct both the BWSSB and BBMP to take action. I agree that Yemlur lake is not as broad as Bellandur and things could be difficult there.
What measures have been initiated by you in solving Bellandur lake issue?
I have slapped showcause notices on 137 apartments. We are also inspecting all the STPs to see if they are working properly and keeping an eye on the laundries and construction projects in and around the locality .
Do you think sub-committee on lake under BBAG will bring any difference?
I definitely think that the technical expertise of the members of the sub-committee will make a tremendous change to the lakes of the city. They are already on the job and are working on a long term goal.
Can you share some of the plans?
We are looking to construct more STPs for sure. Some are already under construction and some are in the commissioning stage.
