DCM stresses for a stringent law to control pollution
Bengaluru, July 31: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar said that though the city was not in the list of ten most air polluted cities, there was a need to bring in a stringent law to control the air pollution in the city.
Speaking at a symposium organized by the C-40 City Global Air Quality Forum and BBMP here on Tuesday, the DCM said that the scenario of the entire world has changed drastically in the last 30 years. After globalization, the country has witnessed a lot of development. Along with development, the country also witnessed air and environmental pollution. The pollution level should not cross beyond 60 units in the country. But it was 292 in New Delhi, 272 in Faridabad, 262 in Varanasi. Those cities have been facing the problem due to highest air pollution. But the happy news is that Bengaluru was not in the list of top 10 polluted cities. The city is below 60-70 units. But the concern it was not in the list of safest places, he said.
Cities like Mandya, Mangaluru and Bhadravati were placed in the list of cities which have below 60 units. But the Bengaluru city has developed a lot in the last ten years. The population has increased from 23 per cent to 36 per cent. As the basic infrastructure was also increased considerably, the pollution level was also increased, he said.
“When I was the student, there were trees around Bengaluru city. There was a clean environment. The temperature was just 27 degree Celsius. The normal temperature in the city was just 23 degree Celsius. Because of this reason, people from other places migrate to Bengaluru and settle here. But the city has changed a lot in the last ten years. The population is 1.3 crore and 72 lakh vehicles are plying in the city. In a hurry to provide basic facilities, the city is being polluted and it should be controlled with effective implementation of a stringent law. Otherwise, the city will have to face worse days ahead”, he warned.
There was a need to bring in a suitable law to control the pollution. Awareness should be created among people and students. The government has planned various programmes to ease traffic congestion. This would also control the pollution. So, it was the responsibility of every individual to create peaceful and pollution-free city for the next generation, he said.
Mayor Sampath Kumar, deputy mayor Padmavathi, Education Department Principal Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and others were present.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
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.
