In a troubling repeat occurrence, Bengaluru’s Kothanur Lake in JP Nagar witnessed the lifeless bodies of hundreds of fish floating on its surface. This unsettling event has been attributed to the inflow of sewage into the lake, according to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). This marks the second instance in just five months when such an incident has marred the city’s water bodies.
The first episode occurred in April, when deceased fish were discovered in Bengaluru’s wetlands. In response to the alarming situation, the KSPCB instructed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city’s municipal body, to take immediate preventative measures to halt the discharge of sewage waste.
The KSPCB has now declared that the unfortunate demise of fish in Kothanur Lake is a consequence of sewage entering the water body through a stormwater drain. Swift action will be taken to address this critical issue, as reported by news agency ANI.
A senior KSPCB official affirmed their role in monitoring the water quality of lakes and issuing directives to the relevant local bodies for corrective action. They have officially communicated with the BBMP and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to initiate necessary measures to rectify the situation.
The BWSSB, on the other hand, has disputed claims that sewage continues to infiltrate the lake. A senior engineer from the BWSSB maintained that while sewage was indeed a factor during the April incident, they have since taken diligent measures to address the problem and prevent any further contamination of the lake.
Despite these reassurances, the recurring issue of fish fatalities in Bengaluru’s water bodies underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining water quality and preventing pollution in the city’s lakes and wetlands.