Residents call for rejuvenation of Yele Mallappa Shetty lake in east Bengaluru

Balaji Ragotham, a long-time resident of the area, said that the lake’s condition started deteriorating significantly after 2005.  

Once a vital source of drinking water, the Yele Mallappa Shetty lake at Medahalli in east Bengaluru, is now grappling with severe pollution, daily inflow of untreated sewage, encroachment and dumping of debris. 

“My great-grandfather built a dam across the Pinakini river during the 1850s to provide drinking water during a drought. Now, the urban development has led to the mixing of sewage and industrial effluents with lake water. Encroachment by builders and developers has further exacerbated pollution,” said Lingaraj Yele, a hydrogeologist and great-grandson of Yele Mallappa Shetty who built the dam. 

According to Mr. Yele, the urbanisation has disturbed the natural hydrological cycle in the area. The surrounding communities are facing health concerns due to contaminated borewell water. Strong stench emanates from the lake, and mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent in the area. 

Subhajit Ghosh, an activist, said that the situation has been worsening for nearly a decade. “Only a fourth of the fencing around the lake has been completed. Encroachment and illegal construction have delayed the process,” he said.  

Mr. Ghosh emphasised the urgent need for fencing along the NH 75 where majority of the dumping occurs. He sought deployment of marshals and installation of CCTV surveillance to curb illegal activities in the area. 

Balaji Ragotham, a long-time resident of the area, said that the lake’s condition started deteriorating significantly after 2005.  

“In 2011, authorities made an effort to rejuvenate the lake, which included building a boundary, but work was eventually halted due to government negligence. Now, the lake is covered in hyacinths, rendering it unusable for its original purpose,” he said.