Company Name : Generic Source : Deccan Herald (Bangalore)

Biranji lake, the water resource for Hunasehalli, Mavinaguli, Kallugudde, Haliyaur and other vilages, has been contaminated as coffee pulp is being released to it.

Villagers have warned that a protest will be organised, if officials do not take necessary steps to prevent people from releasing coffee pulp to the tank. Biranji lake, which is flowing adjacent to Chikmagalur road in the town, provides drinking water to hundreds of families in the nearby villages. People in Aldur were using the water from the lake for the last 50 years. There is no other water resource for the residents of Aldur. Some growers release the coffee pulp to the lake during night and as a result, the water has become unfit for consumption. Villagers complain that they experience cough and throat infection after drinking water from the lake. Some had itching experience after taking bath using the water from the lake. Meanwhile, many bovines fell sick after drinking Biranje lake’s water.

The district administration had specifically told growers not to release coffee pulp to the water resources including river, ponds, streams and lakes. However, some violate the rules by releasing the pulp during nights. Villagers allege that the people’s representatives, who knew the issue, do not take any steps against the violation.