There is a river that is almost perennial, but its water is not potable and fish inedible. It’s not even used for bathing and washing by people.

This is the story of the once-pristine Vrushabhavathi and the twenty-odd villages under the Byramangala gram panchayat, including Byramangala, Kodiyala Karenahalli, Kodihalli, Chikkakuntahalli, Maravegowdana Doddi, Joganapalya, which have become receptacles for Bangalore’s sewage. According to the 2001 census, 7,654 persons lived in the 20 villages. The population is currently estimated to have crossed 11,000. The problem has persisted for over two decades now with a huge portion of Bangalore’s sewage routed through Vrushabhavathi to reach Shimsha and eventually Cauvery, passing through these villages.