Sewage from apartments flowing into Iblur lake kills fish

by February 13, 2011 Environment

Iblur lake near HSR layout has been contaminated with sewage water from nearby apartments. Fish are dying because of this affecting the livelihoods of fishermen who use the lake.

Fishermen of Iblur Lake faced a loss of Rs.1.8 lakh from a total income due to the death of fish caused by the inflow of sewage into the lake water.

"We lease the lake out for fishing and sell these fish with the help of fishermen. Because of the death of the fishes, we are facing a loss of 80 percent,"said Narayanappa K, contractor of Iblur Lake.

The five varieties of fish bred in the lake are Common Turf, Virijallu, Katla, Rohu and Jilebi.

"The loss is beyond imagination. This is the second time the fishes have died.  The same incident happened in March, 2010," Jamshed Bashir, a fisherman, said.

After the word spread, many officials from the BBMP have come for inspection of the lake, said, Durga Prasad, a watchman of the Iblur Lake garden.

"The lake is located near HSR Layout, which is a residential area and a sewage pipeline of three apartments opens into this lake," he added.

According to Nagesh Hegde, an environmentalist, there are two causes for the death of fish, either there are too many fishes breeding in the lake which causes their death due to the lack of Oxygen or due to water contamination.

"It is the carelessness of administrative department to leave the pipeline open into the lake as it is hazardous for aquatic life," Hegde added.

When contacted the BBMP PRO, S.S.Khandre, he said that he was unaware of the issue and could not provide any information on it.

"The water samples and fish samples have been sent to animal university in Hebbal for testing and the results will be published soon. The ministry of fisheries has kept an eye on the sale of these fishes in order to stop them from being sold, "said, Dinesh Kumar, CEO, Fish Farmers Development Agency.

According to Bashir, the dead fish are dumped in a pit as they cannot be sold.

The lake water is used for various purposes. Some people fish here and the migrant labourers use the water for domestic purposes.

"I have been staying here for 10 years and since then the sewage treatment methods are not implemented well. Apart from the BBMP solving this, even the people have to be responsible enough," said Deb Bardhan, resident of Sun City apartments near Iblur Lake.

"I have complained to the BBMP and also have written to the commissioner and officials. But none have responded, said Narayanappa.

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