Pics: Prince Mahesh

Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi 

Udupi, Feb 19: Lakes are important source for water. Many of the lakes in coastal Karnataka are dying a slow death. Water bodies are on the decline, thanks to unplanned urbanization, encroachment and discharge of sewage and industrial effluents.

The lake of Agasa, which is believed to have a history of 800 years, is turning out to be a huge drain with plastic, bottles, carcasses of animals and waste. The lake that was the source of water for fields on the either side in Kallianpur gram panchayat limits has become poisonous. The lake was also used for washing clothes. The mud from the bed of the lake was used to prepare bricks to construct houses. Therefore, the depth of the lake increased and it could contain more amount of water.

Elders say that the water in the lake would not dry up even in peak summer till May every year which could be used for as a source of water for fields.

Joseph Rebello, a local here says, “The environment is in dire straits due to modernization and urbanization. As there is no cultivation here now, the water of the lake is rarely used. The water was clean and flowing about thirty years ago. Now, the villagers have blocked the flow of water. The lake is surrounded by trees and plants. However, it is deserted due to the indifference between villagers. The lake is never cleaned. Therefore, the water is contaminated. A well was dug for drinking water near the lake, but the work was given up as they found a rock. The well too is now filled with thrash.”

Local panchayat members had submitted a request to the government for the renovation of the lake. Thereafter, a project plan of Rs 2.5 crore was prepared. Local people will get a source of clean water if ministers, government or urban development authority take up the initiative and develop it.

Barren Lake

There is another lake that is found in Gopala ward here. As the lake has no water, local people call it a barren lake. There is confusion whether the land comes under the revenue or irrigation department. The records in the panchayat show that it belongs to the irrigation department. 

There was water in this lake in January and February, 2017. As the lake was dug and cleaned, there was sufficient water for agriculture land. However, the lake has become redundant after thrash piled up in it.

It is said that houses around the lake here have not received title deeds due to confusion regarding the land. There is also scarcity of basic facilities. People here hope to receive title deeds after the elections.

The lake is 2.5 acre wide. “It will be an ideal place to spend evenings, if a boundary wall, walking track and benches are erected here,” says local Umesh Shetty.

It is also said that if water remains in the lake, there will be water in the nearby wells. Water from here was being supplied for about a kilometer from here. It stopped gradually due to the scarcity of land and blockages everywhere. As the number of farmers decreased, nobody bothered to preserve the lake.

Several people are trying to close the lake and construct buildings. No development was however possible due to land disputes.

With sources of water is decreasing, scientific restoration of lakes and other freshwater habitats needs to be among the state’s top priorities. People will get a permanent source of water if the lake is developed as part of rain water harvesting.