Leakage of untreated sewage flows into the KBR National Park has been an issue for the past decade or so, but the errant agency is yet to be penalised by the Forest Department.
As per eyewitnesses and residents in the area, sewage flow into the park is not a fresh occurrence, and existed since 2012-13. The frequency has only increased in the recent years, thanks to the burgeoning residential and commercial complexes around the national park. “We have been noticing the sewage issue since 2012, during our walks. Tried to bring it to the notice of the top political establishment, with no result,” said Ramesh, an IT professional who comes here for evening walks.
On Saturday, the sewage flow could be noticed from at least three stormwater vents emptying into the park. The water enters the 16-acre Chiran Kunta lake inside the park, contaminating the drinking water for the wildlife inhabiting the area. A thick layer of algal bloom can be seen covering the surface of Chiran Kunta, which expands in summer to cover half the lake. Excess water from the Chiran Kunta is emptied into Lotus Pond, another water body close by, which too is getting polluted rapidly and recently had a fish kill incident.
