Serpents surface as water recedes in Bengaluru's Hulimavu

The negligence at Hulimavu lake has left the residents in distraught and has also irked BJP MP Rajeev Chandrashekar. He wrote to the CM of Karnataka and urged him to take immediate action against the culprits.  

Bengaluru: Many residents in and around Hulimavu on Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, whose Sunday evening was ruined by the sudden deluge from the breached lake, were in a state of panic after snakes began to crawl into apartments and houses.

 More than 10 volunteers of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) wildlife cell, led by deputy conservator of forests (DCF) Ranganatha Swamy, were on constant vigil around the locality, and in less than 24 hours rescued about 16 snakes and a couple of turtles braving difficult conditions.

The rescuers divided into different teams and were constantly attending to distress calls from apartment dwellers, villas and local citizens.

Rajesh, a wildlife volunteer, said, “Snakes like the spectacled cobra, Russell’s viper, banded racer and checkered keelback were rescued till Monday afternoon. Of the rescued snakes, only the cobra and viper are venomous snakes and the rest were non-venomous.”

Another volunteer Jayaraj said, “Along with the snakes, we also rescued two terrapins.”

Member of Parliament, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has sought strict action to be taken against the contractor and officials responsible for the criminal negligence which led to the breach of the Hulimavu lake.

The MP has written to the Karnataka chief minister, BS Yediyurappa urging strict action and a thorough investigation into the matter.

Chandrasekhar demanded strict and immediate action against the culprits and said compensation to the affected must be paid and the same must be recovered from those responsible for the breach of the lake.

MP Rajeev demanded identification and action against those responsible for the damage caused.

He said, “The lake breach has damaged hundreds of cars, bikes and houses and valuables have been lost. This loss of property and trauma caused to the citizens is entirely due to criminal lapse of the contractors and officials.”

"CM must immediately order a detailed enquiry into the matter and identify everyone responsible for this negligence and hold them accountable for this criminal negligence. Compensation must be given to those whose property and vehicles have been damaged. Costs for this compensation must be borne by the contractor and officials found guilty," he said.