The petition
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Lake management and an ecological approach to its conversation is more important than its funding.
In government parlance, the concept of "development" - be it the Chamundi Hills or a lake - has till now entailed just construction of an edifice, making new pathways or walkways by destroying the existing vegetation, creating "facilities" for the people, which invariably means destroying the surrounding green cover.
This was evident in the recent pre-budget meeting for the development of Mysore, when speaker after speaker " all politicians " stressed the need for having a -green belt- around Mysore.
But, in the same breath, they went on to add that the Chamundi Hills be "developed" and a ropeway project be initiated to get there, while another sought a botanical garden in Mysore on the lines of the Lal Bagh in Bangalore.
Nothing's being said/done about the "protection" of the Chamundi Hills and the lakes of Mysore.
A natural forest like the Chamundi Hills, the Kukkarahalli Kere/Lake and Karanji Kere/Lake are sacrificed at the altar of "development" and destroyed, so that projects, which do no good for society, and are a drain on the State's resources, are promoted.
On Wednesday March 22, 2006 giant fish were found floating dead in the Kukkarahalli lake, and the water body continues to maintain a high level of turbidity.
Algae formation continues unabated and untreated sewage continues to flow into the lake undoing all the beautification work carried five/05 years ago (in 2003) with funding from the Asian Development Bank or ADB.
Unless sewage is diverted and encroachments along the feeder channel removed there can be no future for the lakes.
The growing popularity of Kukkarahalli lake among morning walkers and the increase in human-induced disturbance has affected the bird population of the lake whose numbers has seen a steep decline w.e.f. 2005.
The lake is spread over 58 hectares with a shoreline of roughly five kilometres and harboured nearly 200 species of birds.
The construction of a new walkway or bund (despite cautioning by the NGOs) along the shore of the water body (Kukkarahalli) that hugs the shoreline like a ribbon and cuts across from the western bank to the eastern portion to facilitate the public to take a walk has disturbed the fragile ecosystem / habitat and the migratory birds have depleted in numbers as they've mass migrated to other water bodies.
The geophysical composition of the lakeshore was badly damaged and the depth of the lakebed was altered.
The number of people who visit the Kukkarahalli Lake has increased.
Spread over 100 countries, Birdlife International has included Kukkarahalli, Karanji and Lingambudhi lakes in Mysore in the list of 38 important conservation sites in the State.
But no wetland/lake in Mysore, is free from threats of human interference.
While international agencies are looking at conservation of wetlands/lakes to save birds, the scenario in India/Mysore calls for urgent remedial action.
The Lingambudhi Lake harbours over 200 species of birds during monsoon but is facing threats because of encroachment and human interference.
The Karanji Kere/Lake island was bereft of vegetation or butterflies or birds till 2003/2004 as the inflow of domestic sewage from the surrounding areas like Siddharthanagar / Siddarthanagar and untreated / contaminated / polluted water from the Mysore Milk Dairy had rendered the lake unfit for any form of aquatic life.
The Karanji Lake, which is located adjoining the Mysore zoo, is spread across 60 acres while the foreshore is spread across 80 acres.
Karanji Kere/Lake was revived with a funding of Rs. 91 lakh from the Asian Development Bank.
The Dalvoy lake has an area of 250 acres.
There are plans to reserve only 10% of the area for fisheries, and the rest for tourism and recreation.
It is said that the centre would have aqua sports facilities among others.
The importance of wetlands and their relevance had been lost on the urban population where it had been grossly mismanaged and reduced to bodies that receive industrial waste and domestic sewage.
The destruction of the water bodies or the wetlands breaks the natural cycle entailing groundwater recharge, flood control, recycling of nutrients, pollution control, and housing endangered species.
A series of disasters had struck the water bodies in Mysore which led to death of birds in Lingambudhi Lake, fish kill in Yennehole and Kukkarahalli in 2001/2002.
Why cannot the Kukkarahalli Kere/Lake, Karanji Kere/Lake, Lingambudhi Lake and the Chamundi Hills be protected instead of being developed?
More than Rs. 90 lakhs was spent on reviving the Kukkarahalli and Karanji lakes. Why was it not used to clear encroachments and divert sewage?
The following recommendations / report that were / was given / submitted to the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court on Monday, June 23, 2008 by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests or PCCF Karnataka Forest Department w.r.t. to undeveloped Bangalore's lakes is applicable to Mysore lakes too.
Nature/Bird preserves
Lakes that have not yet been developed are well worth declaring as nature or bird preserves which will be a tourist attraction and will serve as "a shining example of ecologically-wise integration of civic interest and biodiversity".
'Habitats destroyed'
During development of a Bangalore lake dredged material has piled on the lake margin to extend the land margin, thereby damaging the shoreline vegetation which is critical wildlife habitat for water birds.
'No food courts'
Referring to food courts, boating and other recreational facilities, the report recommends / said that "none of these commercial and tourism activities (should) be envisaged in the 'development' plans".
While "commercial activity should be avoided completely", the department has recommended "a modest entry fee" to make up the cost of maintenance.
"No further structures, buildings and lighting need be contemplated, apart from minimal facilities at the entrance for the gate, regulatory entry and exit, watchman's shed, plant nursery and security," says the report.
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