Actor Rashmika’s Photoshoot In Bengaluru’s Toxic Bellandur Lake Shows A Grim Picture Of Water Pollution

South Indian Actor Rashmika Mandanna is worried about Bengaluru’s Bellandur Lake. And we should be too. The largest lake in the city has been a dumping site for untreated sewage and toxic chemicals for years. Even back in 2015, toxic foam was seen spewing from it and spilling onto roads. In 2017, the lake caught fire due to gaseous pollutants in its waters.

This is what’s become of Bellandur Lake.

According to Indian Express, the National Green Tribunal has levied a fine of INR 50 crores on Karnataka state government due to its inability to control water pollution. They have also asked the government to transfer INR 500 crores to an escrow account earmarked for the lake’s restoration. Amidst all this, Rashmika Mandanna did her bit too. For those of you who don’t know, she’s 5th in Google rankings for Top Trending South Indian movie stars-2018.

Her photoshoot with plastic bags underlines the issue. Take a look.

She took to Twitter yesterday to help raise awareness on the lake’s dismal condition. Not only from an environmental perspective but the health of the residents near the lake too. The toxic foam can cause skin diseases and contaminate groundwater.

“Well, wasn’t aware of this till we had to actually go and shoot this in Bellandur lake..which really broke my heart, and imagine few years down the line..it’s the same case everywhere else..I’d rather not want to be in that space.. I just wanted to share.”

Netizens lauded her efforts and brought to the fore the need to reduce plastic waste.

1. Time to put an end to water pollution

not only Bangalore
whole the world have been forgotten what was going through the river and what not had to go through
they simply pump the whole trash into the rivers, ocean's and everywhere
it's our mistake done by ourselves #Bellandurlake #waterpollution

— sharath K (@Sharath_TheKing) December 14, 2018

2. Jute bags are a great alternative

I hope this opens everyone's eyes to the condition of our polluted surroundings. Wish people opt to use reusable bags rather than plastic, and if plastic ought to be used, then the right method of disposal.

— Sonal Nayak (@SonalNayak1992) December 14, 2018

3. The civic body in the city has failed to improve the situation

HOPE Atleast now someone would care about it.

— Challa Veerendra (@Ch_Veerendra007) December 13, 2018

4. Way to go!

This is one of the difficult challenge you accepted going into the bellandur lake… you are a very great
Person to face this giving awareness about water pollution..💧💧👏👏👏👌👌👌
Hats off… your graceful challenge…👏👏👏👏👌👌🎆🎆😀😀😀

— Sandeep chowdary (@sandeepstar004) December 13, 2018

5. Need a long-term solution

Great to see such initiative carried out by you. People don't worry about this even though getting aware by the fact. You crushed all the govt. initiatives & plans carried out to make the lake look graceful.
Hatts Off 👍👍

— Rishabh (@imrishabh003) December 14, 2018

This is a small but impactful step towards rejuvenating the Bellandur Lake. There’s still a lot to be done to restore it to its former glory.