BENGALURU: A pond in Hargadde of Anekal taluk has turned into a black spot, thanks to indiscriminate dumping and burning of garbage in its vicinity.
“A stormwater drain coming from Jigani Industrial Area passes through this black spot and enters Hargadde, Hennagara and Chandapura waterbodies. So, the drain isn’t only bringing effluents from the industrial area, but the water also picks up waste along the course,” said Captain (retd) Santosh Kumar, an environmentalist.
“Although we understand that towns on the periphery of large cities have a difficult time disposing of solid waste, openly burning garbage in a residential area is unacceptable,” said Kumar.
Hargadde pond is located at Madapatna, Hargadde gram panchayat, Anekal taluk and is spread over seven acres.
Though marked as a pond in a government survey, Kumar and his team found no sign of water at the spot when they visited it in January. There were only signs of burning of waste in one corner of the land, which had turned into a black spot.
Lake expert Nagesh Aras said: “Effluents and solid waste aren’t uncommon in SWD coming from towns on the periphery of the city. Specifically, in the case of Madapatna (where waste is brunt in the open), the water will have ashes and other particles, which aren’t good for the groundwater ecosystem. On the other hand, if waste isn’t burnt, the water will carry leachate, which is worse. Either way, it isn’t an ideal situation.”
Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner J Manjunath pointed out that as many as 60 GPs were allotted land to scientifically dispose of solid waste, and Hargadde GP was one of them. “In March last year, Hargadde GP was handed over one acre and five guntas of land to scientifically dispose of solid waste, and this is the only land that should be used for the purpose. Burning of waste in the open isn’t an acceptable approach to waste disposal,” added Manjunath. Even if the waterbody doesn’t have any water in it and has lost its characteristics, it should not be used to dump or burn waste, said Manjunath.
‘Will educate gram panchayat’
“We will educate the GP concerned and ensure no toxins/effluents or waste enter any waterbody,” he added.
