BENGALURU, 4 FEB 

The once-serene and tranquil Channasandra and Chunchanghatta lakes in City have become distressing sites as they transform into illegal dumping and burning grounds for garbage. Despite repeated notifications to the authorities, the problem has persisted for months, causing significant concerns among residents.

Despite residents bringing attention to the issue through notifications to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and by posting it on social media, the problem continues to escalate. Since 2018, residents in Kasturinagar area have been grappling with toxic fumes as the trash continues to burn in the dried-up Channasandra lake. Recently, the situation escalated to the point where residents had to call firefighters to douse the flames.

Speaking to Salar News, MS Sriharsha, a resident of Kasturinagar, expressed their frustration, stating, "The garbage is burnt regularly on the dried-up Channasandra Lake, and last week, so much smoke and fire developed that we had to call firefighters to douse it. We tried to involve the police, but the lack of clarity on monitoring CCTV systems in the vicinity has left law enforcement clueless. Local authorities, including the BBMP, are yet to provide a comprehensive response to the repeated pleas from residents.”

Chunchanghatta Lake is also facing pollution issues, with untreated water flow and garbage disposal causing harm to the ecosystem. Despite complaints filed with the Bangalore Sewerage and Water Supply Board (BSWBB), the situation remains dire, with dead fish and garbage accumulating in the lake. Raghavendra Pachhapur a resident near the lake, said, “ The untreated water has flowing to the lake from last year, but no authorities have been responding.” 

When Salar News interacted with resident associations in Bengaluru East, a common thread emerged revealing similar challenges faced by lakeside properties due to the pollution in the waterbodies. Doddakallasandra Lake is similarly grappling with pollution issues caused by borewell slits and arsenic-laden water entering the lake, and every day, the garbage dump gets burned on the lake premises. 

Ramchandra, a lake activist in the City, said burning waste near the lakes releases toxic pollutants into the air, posing severe health risks. The compromised air quality not only affects the residents but also undermines the purpose of visiting the lakes, which is to enjoy fresh air during walks or leisure time. —Salar News