Moreover, medical waste and even gypsum is being dumped in the water bodies.

Bengaluru: One often comes across visuals of Bengaluru’s Bellandur Lake frothing due to the spilling of toxic chemicals in it. However, it is a phenomenon not just limited to a handful of water bodies in the state. Over 125 lakes in the state have been badly contaminated as per the Pollution Control Board.

What’s more shocking is that the authorities are least bothered about the same. Water resources minister DK Shivakumar was not even aware of the report. It is not just the Bellandur or Varthur, over a hundred lakes in the state have been declared to be contaminated to a point where their water is deemed unfit for consumption.

The authorities have been apprised about the same from time to time but no rejuvenation projects, de-weeding or cleaning of the water bodies has been initiated yet.

A Pollution Control Board report reveals alarming data on #Karnataka's lakes; more than 125 lakes are badly contaminated. #SaveOurLakes pic.twitter.com/DT1Esr7j47 — Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) June 10, 2019

Anand Malik, a lake conservationist, said that as per his research, about 140 lakes are being polluted openly. Slowly, sewage is being washed off along with rains and other than this, some industries are aligned with powerful men. Tankers take effluents and dump them in the lakes in the night. The law is being flouted openly.

Moreover, medical waste and even gypsum is being dumped in the water bodies that are a lifeline for millions of humans and animals alike. It is a grave situation and urgent measures need to be taken before the ecosystem of the area goes from bad to worse.

