Don't you hear the lakes cry?
National Green Tribunal has taken the state government to task over ignoring lakes such as Bellandur and Agata, and penalised the state and BBMP to the tune of Rs 75 crore. Terribly embarrassed by this, the state government has tried to defend itself by saying NGT has no jurisdiction to penalise the state government and that the tribunal needs to stay within its limits. Whether NGT can penalise the state or not is a point apart. But one cannot ignore the rap of NGT on the status of lakes in Bengaluru. Because this issue is not restricted to NGT alone but the survival of lakes all over Karnataka and the survival of the state itself. The state government Maine escape without having to pay any penalty to be NGT today.
when compared to the Glory days of future when the state will have to suffer for lack of drinking water, this penalty is nothing. The state government will have to consider this as a warning call and work towards conservation of lakes in the state. Let's consider Bengaluru for instance. the city is dependent on Kaveri river for its water needs. If this river dries up, the city will not be able to meet any of its water needs. The need for water is in ever-increasing one in an ever-expanding City like Bengaluru. But the rivers aren't increasing in number neither is their ability to hold more water in their expanse. This is an impossible situation. Hence the government will have to think about this issue with a lot more seriousness than before. Should Bangalore depend on a river for all its water needs for years to come?
The city has been always known as Garden City. But prior to that, our administrators have forgotten that Bengaluru as the city of lakes. Two years ago, when a scrutiny was carried out, statistics had shown about 835 lakes on record. Documents show lakes covered about 27,000 acres of land space. More than 4000 acres has been encroached already. And in the state, about 10,000 lakes have already disappeared. The culture of this land is spread across the lakes it has housed. They are the lifeline of this land. Before the mega reservoirs were built lakes provided for the water requirements of people. This statement is true to the core as far as North Karnataka is concerned. Every Lake carries a lot of history on its bed.
The history and heritage of Karnataka can be traced through its lakes. To rejuvenate the lakes east to the agrarian culture of this land. The lakes of this land date back to the time of Kadambas. Owing to the cultural significance of lakes, every temple has a lake of its own in our state. The mark of every ruler who ruled any part of this expanse is left on the lakes that he built. Chandavalli lake of Chitradurga, Sulekere of Channagiri taluk, Lingambudhi lake of Mysore, Kukkarahalli lake and many others are significant not just because they hold water, but also because they are treasures of history and heritage as well. Mysore had about 20 lakes in the bygone era, but most of them have dried up today after being choked by silt. Kukkarahalli lake and Lingambudhi lake still have some life left in them. The other lakes are polluted to the core. The whole of Bengaluru is standing on a bed of lakes. All big buildings have encroached the space of lakes.
It is an irony to destroy all the lakes, build buildings on them and cry over water scarcity. The lakes of this land has the capacity to fulfil the water requirements of the state. If we had to save them, they would have saved us. When we didn't encroach we have choked the lakes in the name of religious rituals such as Ganesha and Durga visarjan. We feel no guilt about this and we think polluting the lakes is our birthright. We have entered into fights with neighboring states over water. Our neighbors did not destroy our legs which was spread across thousands of acres.
We did that with our own hands. We need to pay attention to save the remaining ones at least. We need to desilt the remaining lakes and give them fresh lease of life. you need to recognize the mafia that is encroaching lakes and initiate stern action against such elements. No construction should be allowed on dried up lake beds. Their borders need to be earmarked and rejuvenation should be carried out so that they can hold water again. Only then can there be an alternate solution to Bangalore's water problems. This can also help people use the water from recharged lakes for other purposes. This would reduce the over dependency of Bangalore on Cauvery water. If we save lakes, the lakes will save us. In this regard, the state should perceive the rap by NGT in a constructive manner and act accordingly.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
