Another lake dying in Bengaluru, thanks to illegal dumping of construction debris

Once a lifeline for many villages in South East Bengaluru near Sarjapura, the 78.97 acre Halanayakanahalli lake has become a construction debris dumping zone.

As the real estate sector has seen growth, trucks filled with mounds of debris are being dumped in the lake area during the night. Residents say, as the lake lacks fencing, people use this to their advantage to dump garbage and debris indiscriminately.

Residents say, about 25 years ago the lake was brimming with life and has witnessed many migratory birds, but as real estate sector boomed, culverts were blocked and the water to the lake during rains was cut-off.

To ensure the lake is brought back to life, residents have written a letter to the minor irrigation department and forest department to protect the lake from such cruel acts. Officials say they will place the lake development action plan in the budget and revive it.