In the latest episode of the "Let's Talk Water" podcast, India's renowned lake conservationist Anand Malligavad highlights the alarming issue of sewage pollution in the country’s lakes, stressing that everyone—from authorities to locals—contributes to the problem
Published Jan 26, 2025 | 3:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 26, 2025 | 3:28 PM
Let's Talk Water: ‘Everyone wants sewage in lakes,’ says India’s Lake Man Anand Malligavad
Anand Malligavad, often hailed as “India’s Lake Man,” faces a multitude of challenges as he goes about his work to save and rejuvenate urban lakes across the nation. Speaking in the inaugural podcast called, Let’s Talk Water with Nolan Pinto, he explains how he has to fight a constant battle with everybody from people to authorities who want sewage dumped into lakes regardless of the consequences.
He has, since 2016, successfully revived 35 lakes in the outskirts of Bengaluru and more than a 100 across the nation through natural rejuvenation techniques. But not too many are happy with this.
Malligavad primarily focuses on urban lakes chocked with sewage, waste, and construction debris. His primary goal is to naturally purify these water bodies.
However, this approach frequently puts him at odds with both the authorities and local residents. He laments that people do not understand the need to clean lakes. “People also want sewage, whatever water in the lake. Lakes should be filled with good water,” he says. Adding that when he is working to restore lakes and diverts sewage water out of it, people ask him, “Why are you diverting it.”
Even the authorities, according to Malligavad, advocate for mixing both clean and polluted water into the lakes. This contradicts the directives of both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which categorically prohibit the discharge of untreated water into lakes.
Adding to the complexity, are rulings by the Supreme Court and High Court of Karnataka that have prohibited the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) within the lake buffer zones. Simultaneously, residents oppose the establishment of STPs near their homes due to various concerns.
Then there is legislation that mandates water spread area and holding capacity of lakes must be maintained. This restricts authorities from undertaking any construction or modifications that could potentially impact these crucial aspects.
Malligavad navigates these enormous challenges and tries to strike a balance. His method is simple, in that, he diverts the inflow of sewage and sludge into a separate partition within the lake. “Soil microorganisms within the partition naturally treat this water to a certain level,” he explains.
His efforts in reviving urban lakes serve as a valuable model today.
Watch the entire conversation on the Podcast.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
