Dyeing is not the only thing killing this lake

By Y Maheswara Reddy

The Rampura Lake looks photoshopped to perfection. Like a Disney lake. It’s azure blue with positive parts of it taking up purplish, magenta hues. But don’t move by the appearance. The water on this lake is a ways from just right. The colour comes from the waste water that flows into the lake from a close-by dyeing unit.

But funnily enough, government seem to be colour blind, and it’s handiest the residents of Rampura who're agitated at their neighbourhood lake being poisoned with effluents.

The lake falls below the Bidaralli Gram Panchayat but the Panchayat Development Officer, Nagaraj M, is in doubt whether or not the lake comes below his jurisdiction.

Blue funk

According to the residents of Rampura, a dyeing unit has been functioning adjoining to the lake for 3 years. Waste water from the dyeing unit is being pumped into the lake on a daily basis however not anything has been achieved to protect the lake from being polluted. They allege that nobody has inspected the lake a majority of these years.

“The other people operating on the dyeing unit unencumber waste water into the lake. The water isn't secure for even cows and buffaloes. Recently, a few cows died after drinking the polluted water in the lake. The lake is the only supply of water for stray farm animals. We are fearful in regards to the high quality of ground water. If the government fail to stop the dyeing unit, ground water will get polluted,’’ says Narayana Gowda, a resident of Rampura.

They come here to dye

Bengaluru has turn into a favorite vacation spot for dyeing gadgets from Tamil Nadu the place such gadgets are banned. The individuals who perform those dyeing gadgets choose remoted places to put up transient sheds. They manage to get electricity connections and likewise keep a diesel generator as a standby all through load dropping. Earlier, such gadgets were functioning at Tubarahalli close to Kundalahalli and Vinayakanagar, some of the localities in Shanthinagar Assembly section. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) government took motion to shut down such illegal gadgets polluting ground water in addition to nearby lakes.

The lake is a big supply of water for animals and birds

“We are following the entire regulations. We have the necessary permissions from the local government,’’ mentioned Karthik, proprietor of the dyeing unit set up close to the Rampura Lake.

When contacted, Bidaralli Panchayat Development Officer Nagaraj M mentioned, “I've already directed them to stop the dyeing process. I gave them 10 days to pack up. If they fail to do so,
I will report it to the upper government.’’

However, the residents of Rampura don't seem to be ready to consider the Panchayat Development Officer. They suspect his collusion with the folks operating the dyeing unit. “What has averted him from visiting the Rampura Lake or the dyeing unit all through the last three years? Many of the residents know in regards to the existence of the dyeing unit. How is it that the PDO isn't acutely aware of its existence?” asks Ramaiah S, a resident.

When informed in regards to the Rampura Lake which is on the verge of death an unnatural loss of life, KR Puram tahsildar Ramlaxman has mentioned that he too was once not acutely aware of what has been occurring around Rampura Lake. “I suspect the involvement of the Bidaralli PDO. The dyeing unit cannot serve as without the PDO’s wisdom. I will look into the matter,’’ says Ramlaxman.

Due to its remote location, not many people know of its existence. The picturesque lake draws a large number of migratory birds but the high quality of water would possibly quickly make that a factor of the previous, unless there is some rapid intervention from the government.