• Helpless Zoo Authority seeks to wash its hands of the upkeep of Thippayyana Kere
• Writes to District Administration to take back control of the sewage and hyacinth- filled lake from Zoo

Mysuru: The Executive Director of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) has formally appealed to the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner (DC) to take back Lalithadripura Lake, popularly known as Thippayyana Kere, from the Zoo management, citing difficulties in maintaining the waterbody amid persistent sewage inflow and other challenges.

The 15.17-acre lake, located at Nadanahalli near the Ring Road in Lalithadripura village, comprises 9.01 acres in Survey No. 30 and 6.17 acres in Survey No. 31.

The lake and adjoining parkland, which were under the erstwhile Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), now Mysuru Development Authority (MDA), were handed over to the Zoo in 2015 with certain conditions of maintenance, while MUDA retained the ownership.

Since the Zoo took over, it called for private participation to rejuvenate the lake, after which they would maintain it.

The lake now, completely covered in hyacinth and sewage after Zoo Authority took over.

The Mysuru Zone of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) took up the rejuvenation under ‘Project Mysuru Water Positive by 2021.’ The project was funded by Automotive Axles Ltd. as part of its CSR initiative. After rejuvenation, the lake was handed over to the Zoo for maintenance.

Zoo Authority helpless

The Zoo also spent over Rs. 50.59 lakh on maintaining the lake but has been unable to do so due to the unabated inflow of sewage from the surrounding residential layouts like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Nagar, Police Layout, Giridarshini Layout, Alanahalli Layout and other areas, leading to massive infestation of hyacinth, which completely covered the lake.  

Zoo officials point out that completely blocking the sewage inflow could inconvenience residents, while the contamination has already affected morning walkers and other visitors.

Following complaints, the Zoo’s Deputy Director and Range Forest Officer (RFO) inspected the lake and submitted a report on Jan. 23, 2024. The Zoo has been bearing the cost of maintaining the lake from its internal revenue, adding to the financial burden.

In view of these issues, Zoo authorities have requested the District Administration to take back Lalithadripura Lake and assume responsibility for its management and conservation.

Residents, civic forums and residents of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Nagar have also petitioned the Zoo seeking urgent desilting and conservation measures. They have pointed out that the MDA must stop and divert the sewage flow into the lake.