What happened: urban lake degradation linked to pollution, solid waste, and encroachment
An opinion article argues that wetlands and urban lakes are important ecosystem infrastructure for carbon storage, biodiversity, climate regulation, and public well-being. It states that many city lakes are degrading or disappearing due to rapid and unplanned urbanisation.
The opinion article claims that polluted and neglected lakes become convenient sites for untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and solid waste.
Background: lakes treated as empty or encroachable land; coordination and accountability gaps
The opinion article argues that lake decline happens when cities treat lakes as empty or encroachable land rather than ecological infrastructure. The opinion article also points to institutional apathy, weak coordination among agencies, and fragmented accountability.
The opinion article criticises municipal projects that emphasise beautification (such as promenades, lighting, and fencing) while neglecting lake-system drivers like feeder channels, catchments, and water quality.
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