While the officials from various civic agencies and Urban Development Department are making tall claims that visible progress is being made on the ground in clearing weeds and silt from Bellandur lake, a team of experts from Indian Institute of Science and Lake Expert Committee has claimed that this is just a gimmick.
Prof T V Ramachandra of IISc’s Centre for Ecological Sciences, who is also a member of the committee, said,
“I visited the site with my students and found that what they claimed and what is on ground are two different things. They are removing the silt from Yemalur side where there is thick vegetation.
“They should have started working from Iblur side where the weeds are fresh. Getting into water and cleaning the water body will be faster and easier. This will also show people that work is happening on the ground. Going by the present way the government is working, it will take one year to clear the weeds.”
He said the government officials should take the help of the local fishermen and their boats to get into the lake and start the work.
“Only one JCB is working there. The second one has sunk into the water because it was small. Also, the JCB driver has no safety equipment. He is battling mosquitoes and the stench while working on the JCB,” he said.
Prof Ramachandra also pointed that BDA officials have decided to dump the weeds and silt accumulated in quarries pits and sump sites. “It is not right. These are valuable resources. The weeds and hyacinth can be used as manure and in biogas plants. The silt is rich and can be sent to Anekal which will make the soil rich with nutrients for cultivation,” he said.
His two students --- Bhargavi R Sharma and Vinay S --- have collected samples of the weeds, silt and froth at Bellandur and Varthur lake for analysis. Prof Ramachandra said that this will give a clear picture of what toxins are there in the water bodies and what treatment is required.