Mangaluru: A 2.62 acres lake at Bairadi – Padil, brimming with water, weeds giving it a greenish coat at one point of time, was a source of water not only to the animals but also people living in that region. However, today, pollution in the very same river has painted a different picture- a very unhealthy picture.
The Bairadikere Samrakhshana Samathi, which includes the localities, all the organization and associations from the region, such as temples, churches etc summing up to over 40 groups took up the initiative to clean the Lake, because the river body had now become a health hazard.
Henry, a member of the samithi, speaking to News Karnataka said, “The lake is only 1.36 acres today, and most of the area has been acquired while the remaining is polluted; Earlier the drainage of an apartment was connected to this lake. However, now we have stopped it”.
“The quality of the water has been deteriorating over the past years, thus, we have submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking their support and help in cleaning up this place”, he added.
Reading out the six demands mentioned in the memorandum, Henry said that they needed funds for uplifting, cleaning the lake and that the corporation is liable to do so. He also said that a jogging track can be created, thus maintaining the surroundings of the lake and this water body can be a place where people would be willing to visit, rather than a dump yard.
Henry also noted that no flats or construction should be made within 100 meters of the building. Moreover, streetlights should be placed and a pah towards the lake must be built by the corporation.
Over thousand volunteers participated in the all-day cleaning programme. Earlier, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the initiative. Padil Corportor Prakash along with former Mayor Krishnappa Mendon, Mohanappa Bhandari, Asha D’silva and others were present.
Addressing the gathering, BJP Corporator Sudhir Shetty stated that the toll that pollution has taken over the water body is terrible. He also added that the district administration must relase some funds in order to make the region a better place and provide for the cleaning of these lakes.
Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, responded to this request positively. He said, “Water bodies are important for the survival of mankind but it is difficult to maintain it and keep it clean as people throw the waste from their households in such places, not realizing the harm it causes to the environment.
Lobo did not mention the amount that will be allocated for the cleaning, however, he said that the demands in the memorandum will be certainly considered. Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim also payed a visit to the cleaning programme and encouraged the people gathered there for a noble cause.
