Ulsoor Lake is all set to get rid of tonnes of sludge through Bokashi balls, a Japanese technique of cleaning water.
In this method, the balls containing micro-organisms are dropped into the water and they feed on the sludge. The balls are made of sawdust and husk, and mixed with red soil, cow dung and effective micro-organisms (EM) solution. This method was earlier used to purify water in Kaikondrahalli Lake, but stopped after a few months.
While Bokashi balls are good, there is no scientific evidence about their effect, an official from Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development said.
Ramprasad Das, a founder of Friends of Lakes, said it’s a short-term practice and has not been proved scientifically.
“Before experimenting with this, we need a scientific evaluation and it should be peer reviewed. It needs to be proved that enzymes used in the technique are not harmful to the lake species or humans,” he added.
Experts said the primary problem in the sludge is the combination of nitrate and phosphate. “While the microbes feed on both, they excrete the phosphate back into the lake. This forms a vicious circle,” said an expert.
The hyper-eutrophic Ulsoor Lake, with visibility less than three feet, is rich in phosphorus. “The main issue is that oxygen level is low and algae bloom is very high. The sun does not go below three feet, damaging the lake,” the expert added.
The expert suggested that sunrays should go 5-6 feet deep into a lake if it has to be healthy, but it is in a bad state.
Senior BBMP lake officials only asserted that Bokashi balls will do wonders for the waterbody. When asked about the sustainability after implementation of the same in Kaikondrahalli Lake two years ago, they remained silent. Mahadevapura Parisara Samrakshane Matti Abhivrudhi Samiti (MAPSAS), a volunteer group, had introduced Bokashi balls in Kaikondrahalli Lake.
Disclaimer: This story has not been edited by Water Today staff and is generated from news feeds. Source: The Times Of India