Saksham Cyclothon held in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: P. Ravi Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka, the chief guest for the Cyclothon 2021 Bengaluru Chapter, along with Bhaskar Rao, IPS, ADGP(Internal Security) ; K. Srinivas, IAS, Commissioner (Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports), Govt. of Karnataka and P. Murugesan, Executive Director (Southern Region), GAIL flagged off Saksham Cyclothon from Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on 31st Jan 2021 (Sunday).
The event witnessed participation of more than 500 cyclists who pedalled their way round the Cubbon park for over 5 Km distance before finishing back at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Before flagging off the cyclists, the chief guest administered the pledge in Kannada and English to all the participants for practising the measures for ensuring optimal utilization of the fossil fuels and take steps for its conservation for our future generations..
The Cyclothon was organised by GAIL as a part of an awakening campaign, “Saksham 2021” an initiative of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The objective of this cyclothon is to create awareness amongst the people about the fuel conservation, environment protection and promote the use of cycle for short distances, which will not only save fuel but also help in creating a cleaner, greener & healthier environment.
Speaking on the occasion, P Ravi Kumar emphasised that even small initiatives by individuals to substitute and reduce the usage of petroleum products like commuting through walking or cycling, using public transport, car-pooling, mindful usage of energy efficient equipment and machinery can contribute in a big way towards Oil & Gas conservation.
Ravi Kumar further added that such measures will also decongest our city roads and will provide supplementary benefits to individuals for maintaining healthy life due to exercise. Murugesan appealed to the people of the state to use the green and economical fuel i.e. Natural Gas for the domestic households, vehicles, commercial and industrial establishments for the betterment of the environment.
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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.
