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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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
