Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 31: Gujjarakere, once revered as a sacred theertha lake believed to cure ailments, is now found to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. Laboratory test reports have once again confirmed that the lake water is completely polluted and unsafe for consumption.
Although the lake has been developed under the Smart City project at a cost of several crores of rupees and appears visually appealing, its water body is severely contaminated. The primary reason cited is the inflow of sewage water into the lake. Despite repeated appeals by local residents to the Mangaluru City Corporation and Smart City authorities, no effective action has reportedly been taken.
Water samples drawn from the lake and tested in a laboratory revealed alarming results. In every 100 ml of water, the total coliform count was found to be 1,600, while the faecal coliform count was also 1,600. The presence of such high levels of bacteria in 100 ml of water is considered extremely dangerous, and the report has clearly stated that the water is unfit for drinking.
The lake water had been tested around seven months ago as well, and contamination was detected then too. At that time, the total coliform count was 1,600 and the faecal coliform count stood at 500. Compared to those findings, the bacterial levels have now doubled.
Gujjarakere water has been tested multiple times in the past, and each time dangerous bacteria were detected. Tests conducted in 2014 and 2015 showed bacterial levels of around 1,100. When tested again in 2016, the bacterial count had increased further. Typically, water testing involves checking for total coliform bacteria (generally considered non-harmful) and faecal coliform bacteria, which indicate contamination from sewage or toilet waste.
For water to be considered good and suitable for drinking, the total coliform count in 100 ml of water should be zero. A count of 1 to 3 is considered satisfactory, while 4 to 10 is not very good. If the count exceeds 10, the water is deemed unfit for drinking. Similarly, faecal coliform bacteria must also be at zero level for water to be potable. However, the current level in Gujjarakere stands at a dangerously high 1,600.
Gujjarakere is one of the oldest lakes in Mangaluru and holds immense religious significance. It is believed to have been formed through the penance and spiritual power of Guru Gorakhnath, a disciple of Nath Panth sage Guru Machendranath. References to these sages are found in the historical accounts of the Mangaluru’s presiding deity, Shri Mangaladevi Amma. For centuries, the sacred theertha from this lake was used with great reverence for ritual bathing of the deity at the historic Bolar Hale Kote Shri Mariyamma Temple.
“It has now been conclusively proven that the water of Gujjarakere is not clean. Once a vital water source contributing to groundwater conservation and holding rich historical and religious significance, this sacred lake urgently requires protection and conservation. The negligence of officials from the concerned departments in matters related to the development and preservation of the lake is evident,” said Nemu Kottari, general secretary of the Gujjarakere Theertha Conservation Forum.