Bengaluru, July 03: Revenue Minister RV Deshpande said that all pilgrims who have been to Mansarovar yatra from the state were safe.
Responding to a question raised by Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri of BJP in the Assembly Session on Tuesday, the Minister said that it was true that the pilgrims from the state experienced inconvenience. Out of 525 pilgrims who are on their way to Mansarovar, 250 pilgrims were from Karnataka. The state government took all measures for their safety. The Central Home Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs were appealed to come to the rescue of pilgrims. Food and accommodation was provided to them. But because of heavy rains, it was not possible to use helicopters for their rescue, he said.
Indian High Commissioner in Nepal was asked to come to their rescue. The officer was also requested to take the help of Nepal Government to air-lift the senior citizens and those who have health problems to the safety. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has already directed the Head Quarters Commissioner in New Delhi to take all measures for the safety of the pilgrims from the state, he said.
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
