A team of officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), headed by its chairman Lakshman, visited the Chikkabegur lake on Tuesday. The officials visited the lake on the request of environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy. "I visited the lake last week and saw that it had become a cesspool. I informed the board officials about its status," Reddy said.
Lakshman directed his staff to collect water samples and analyse them. He directed the staff to check for sewage treatment plants in the apartments and other complexes in the vicinity and take action against those letting untreated waste into the lake. He told officials to submit a report at the earliest. The lake, spread across 35 acres, is important as the water from it flows to the Bellandur and Agara lakes.
Till September 26, the Bangalore Development Authority was the custodian of the lake. The BDA officials present on the spot said that they did not have funds to maintain the lake.
They have not even prepared a detailed project report for the improvement of the lake. It was handed over to the BBMP for improvement, but none of the BBMP officials were present during the inspection.
Despite the directions issued by KSPCB on July 20, banning the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols during the Ganesha festival, the same were not complied with. According to KSPCB's analysis and assessment, the level of dissolved oxygen had dropped in the lakes, but the presence of heavy metals, suspended solids and total dissolved solids had increased. A total of 1.47 lakh PoP idols and 2.65 clay idols were immersed.
Lakshman urged the BBMP and local administrations to collect all the PoP idols left in the stalls and near immersion sites and hand them back to the manufacturers, including to those from other states like Maharashtra, by November 31.
He said that four centres should be identified to collect the idols. They should be sent to cement industries for scientific disposal, the officer said. The KSPCB is preparing an action plan to manage the waste and minimise air and noise pollutions during Ayudha Pooja, Deepavali and Christmas. Lakshman directed BBMP to create common centres in all wards for people to burst crackers and directed BBMP to take action against violators.
Lakshman directed his staff to collect water samples and analyse them. He directed the staff to check for sewage treatment plants in the apartments and other complexes in the vicinity and take action against those letting untreated waste into the lake. He told officials to submit a report at the earliest. The lake, spread across 35 acres, is important as the water from it flows to the Bellandur and Agara lakes.
Till September 26, the Bangalore Development Authority was the custodian of the lake. The BDA officials present on the spot said that they did not have funds to maintain the lake.
They have not even prepared a detailed project report for the improvement of the lake. It was handed over to the BBMP for improvement, but none of the BBMP officials were present during the inspection.
Despite the directions issued by KSPCB on July 20, banning the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols during the Ganesha festival, the same were not complied with. According to KSPCB's analysis and assessment, the level of dissolved oxygen had dropped in the lakes, but the presence of heavy metals, suspended solids and total dissolved solids had increased. A total of 1.47 lakh PoP idols and 2.65 clay idols were immersed.
Lakshman urged the BBMP and local administrations to collect all the PoP idols left in the stalls and near immersion sites and hand them back to the manufacturers, including to those from other states like Maharashtra, by November 31.
He said that four centres should be identified to collect the idols. They should be sent to cement industries for scientific disposal, the officer said. The KSPCB is preparing an action plan to manage the waste and minimise air and noise pollutions during Ayudha Pooja, Deepavali and Christmas. Lakshman directed BBMP to create common centres in all wards for people to burst crackers and directed BBMP to take action against violators.