In a surreal twist, an autorickshaw was found submerged in Yelle Mallappa Shetty (YMS) lake near KR Pura during a weeding operation on Wednesday, spotlighting the dire state of one of Bengaluru’s once-pristine waterbodies.

The discovery, coming just three months after a refrigerator was pulled from Madiwala lake, has left residents and environmentalists exasperated, with one quipping, “What’s next, a mermaid?” The 500-acre YMS lake, previously a hub for kayaking, canoeing, and a thriving bird sanctuary, has become a dumping ground for garbage, human waste, and even dead cattle.

Balaji Ragothaman, a lake guardian and environmentalist, stumbled upon the autorickshaw while inspecting the lake. “This was once a source of drinking water and a sacred site for Ganga puja. Now it’s a cesspool of debris and mosquitoes,” he lamented, criticizing the government’s apathy toward the lake’s ecosystem.

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The lake’s decline has forced the Kayaking and Canoeing Association of Karnataka (KCAK), which trained athletes there from 2016 to 2023, to relocate to Benniganahalli lake, 8km away. KCAK secretary Captain Dileep Kumar blamed uncontrolled hyacinth growth and an unusable access road, adding, “We’ve begged government agencies for help, but only the minor irrigation department has stepped up. BBMP and BWSSB have done nothing.”

Local residents echoed the frustration. Subhajit Ghosh described being unable to open windows due to mosquito swarms, with only 40% of the lake fenced, leaving it vulnerable to dumping. Meenakshi Rao, another resident, said the toxic water and unbearable stench keep her children away from the lake. Sridhar R, living just 100 meters from the site, urged BBMP and BWSSB to collaborate with the minor irrigation department to revive the lake, now a public health hazard.

The minor irrigation department, currently overseeing a Rs 25 lakh weeding project for the lake’s right side, estimates full restoration—including weeding and fencing—will cost Rs 5 crore and take two years. A senior official promised that the lake could reclaim its status as a bird sanctuary and recreational space. Following the autorickshaw discovery, officials from BBMP, BWSSB, and the minor irrigation department conducted a joint inspection, with plans to float tenders for further restoration soon.

With 10 acres of the lake already encroached and civic support lacking, the autorickshaw serves as a stark symbol of YMS lake’s fall from grace, raising urgent questions about Bengaluru’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

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