Hulimangala Panchayat Launches Operation to Clean Polluted Shikaripalya Lake
The Hulimangala Gram Panchayat has launched a rescue and clean-up operation to save Shikaripalya Lake in the Anekal region from severe sewage pollution. Following directives from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, local authorities have deployed vacuum tankers, initiated chemical treatments, and filed a police complaint to halt the contamination of the water body.
The environmental crisis came to light after the KSPCB Anekal Regional Office Environmental Officer visited the lake on June 22. Following the inspection, the officer issued an official notice to the Hulimangala Gram Panchayat Development Officer, directing immediate measures to stop the entry of sewage, debris, and solid waste into the lake ecosystem.
In response, the Hulimangala Gram Panchayat Development Officer submitted a detailed action taken report on July 2 to Dr. K. Vaishnavi, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister. The report outlined several emergency measures implemented to restore the lake.
To tackle the immediate contamination, officials engaged a vacuum tanker to suck sewage directly out of the water body. To control the severe stench emanating from the polluted water, workers sprinkled bleaching powder and alum (aluminium potassium sulphate) around the lake area.
The Gram Panchayat also took legal action by lodging a formal complaint with the Hebbagodi Police. The complaint seeks action against the individuals responsible for letting sewage into the lake. According to the official report, the pollution was worsened after miscreants damaged the inlet of the lake, which allowed sewage to flow directly into the wetland.
The report also highlighted jurisdictional challenges in managing the pollution. The Hulimangala Gram Panchayat Development Officer stated that letters had been sent to the neighboring Doddathogur Panchayat, urging them to stop sewage from nearby apartment complexes from draining into the lake.
According to the officer, Doddathogur Panchayat officials had previously failed to take action despite receiving these letters. To resolve this, the Hulimangala official has requested the Anekal Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer to step in and direct the Doddathogur Panchayat to implement suitable preventive measures.
