8 years after rejuvenation…

MP flags severe pollution in once-pristine lake near Chamundi Hill, promises action

Mysuru: Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar has expressed serious concern over the pollution of the historic Thippayyanakere at the foot of Chamundi Hill, where untreated sewage has been flowing in, severely contaminating the water body. He assured residents that swift measures would be taken to rejuvenate and protect the lake.

Responding to widespread complaints from residents, Yaduveer Wadiyar visited the lake on June 7 and inspected the site. During the visit, he noted with concern that sewage from nearly half a dozen surrounding residential layouts was being discharged directly into the lake.

Residents informed him that unscientific underground drainage work and septic tank discharge from nearby housing developments had led to the present level of contamination.

The MP said that immediate steps would be initiated to safeguard the lake, adding that he would hold discussions with officials concerned on the issue.

Once a clean freshwater body until about three years ago, Thippayyanakere has now deteriorated into a swamp choked with invasive weeds such as water hyacinth.

Migratory birds vanish

Residents said, aquatic life in the lake has perished and migratory birds have stopped visiting the area. What was once a scenic spot has now turned into a health hazard for nearby residents, who complain of mosquito breeding, pig nuisance and water-borne diseases.

Despite recent rainfall increasing water levels, the lake remains murky and polluted, with sewage inflows and dense weed growth making it resemble a marshland rather than a water body.

Residents also pointed out that sewage is flowing through the main canal connecting Thippayyanakere with the upstream ‘Saati Lake’ and urged protection measures for both water bodies.

Former MLA L. Nagendra, former Exhibition Authority Chairman Hemanthkumar Gowda and several residents, including Thomas, Shivakumar, Srilakshmi, Bhojappa, Mahesh, Mahadevappa, Siddaramappa and Honappa, joined hundreds of citizens during the inspection.

Profile of Thippayyanakere

Thippayyanakere, located in Lalithadripura village on the outskirts of Mysuru, spans 6.17 acres in Survey No. 31 and 9.01 acres in Survey No. 30 and lies adjacent to the city’s Outer Ring Road. The lake currently receives untreated sewage from Giridarshini Layout, Police Layout and Alanahalli through the main canal. Broken manholes in the vicinity have further worsened the situation, turning into breeding grounds for pigs.

Officials note that Sewage Treatment Plants have not been established for several eastern layouts of the city. The lack of coordination between the Civic Body and the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) has been cited as a key reason for the deterioration of the water body.

Past restoration efforts

The lake was last significantly rejuvenated during the tenure of Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep in 2016-17, when it was restored using CSR funds from Automotive Axles.

The work included de-silting and reconstruction of the bund. In April 2018, management of the lake was handed over to the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), which undertook afforestation and grassland development, improving its ecological and visual appeal.

Later, in 2022, the earlier Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) announced plans to construct Sewage Treatment Plants to prevent further inflow of sewage, but the proposal has not been implemented.

Vanishing aquatic life and heritage value

With a history of nearly 400 years, Thippayyanakere is among the four traditional water bodies built around Chamundi Hill to capture runoff.

It is believed to have been named after Thippa Raya, a Military Commander who once watered his horses at the site and maintained it, eventually giving rise to the name ‘Thippa Rayana Kere,’ which evolved into ‘Thippayyanakere.’

Once a thriving ecological zone, the lake has now lost its aquatic life entirely, with local biodiversity disappearing and its heritage value under serious threat due to continued pollution and neglect.