In the absence of efficient governance to save lakes from sewage and encroachments, scientists, research scholars, soldiers and aggrieved citizens are working together to restore Bengaluru’s biggest Bellandur and Varthur lakes.
Researchers have taken up an exhaustive study, which includes field surveys, physico-chemical analysis of water and bathymetric analysis to understand the status of both lakes. The study involves testing the quality of silt and water at different points, besides plant analysis.
Accompanied by soldiers of Madras Engineer Group (MEG) and Centre, the first boat of armymen made way for the research scholars to tour different areas of the lake that was clogged with weeds and hyacinth. The massive effort involved the soldiers helping the researchers to collect samples even in the middle of the 800-acre lake.
After a five-day-long study in Varthur lake, the research scholars of the Indian Institute of Science are now at the Bellandur lake, where they will work for two more days braving the foul smell, the highly polluted water and the scorching sun. The vast lake highlighted two contrasting pictures from the middle. While one side has high-rise buildings, the other has lush greenery, thanks to the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which occupy the land.