Bellandur lake on fire again: Are we learning from previous incidents?

This is not the first time when fire broke out at Bellandur lake. In May 2015, the foam covering the water surface caught fire and burnt for hours. But this time, the massiveness of the incident made residents and passers-by astounded and fearful.  While residents blame reckless garbage burning, officials believe it was sparked by "chemically active sludge".

The lake was a prominent catchment area with a good green cover and home to various indigenous species including kingfishers,parrots,wood pigeons etc. Rapid industrialization and urbanization has made lake severy polluted. Wildlife has almost disappeared.

  

Varthur lake is the second largest lake of Bangalore and also one of the most polluted.Its ecosystem is under continuous degradation because of sewage water inflows. 

Ulsoor lake has no different story. Thousands of fish were found dead few months ago because of depletion of oxygen levels resulted from untreated sewage inflows. 

The problem is that we are not learning from past incidents and making no efforts towards mitigation. Not only municipal corporation but residents and corporates are equally responsible for these hazards. Ecospace Software Park is in front of the lake. Why can't companies come forward and take necessary initiatives? Why can't they fund required mitigation measures under Corporate Social Responsibility? 

I referred Wikipedia to read more about Bellandur lake. The last line of first paragraph says-"Citizens of Bangalore must contribute and create and organization to maintain the lake like cleaning it and making sure it is well kept and many species of plants grow and help regain its beauty"

When Wikipedia, meant to provide facts and information, gives a message that means there is something terribly wrong going on. Unfortunately, it is true. Bangalore is a classic example of ignorance. People simply do not care about environment. They want clean air and greenery but do not want to take steps in order to perpetuate the greenery.

When it comes to local administration, BBMP is highly inefficient and the sole reason behind its inefficiency is that it lacks financial powers. Economic Survey 2016-17 points out the same. There is acute shortage of funds.Government needs to provide greater financial powers to municipal corporations to raise funds.Municipal Bond market can help BBMP raise funds and install sewage treatment plants as state Pollution Control Board suggests.

Bangalore’s Bellandur Lake Catches Fire Again: Are We Ever Going To Learn?